Storage and the Grid of the Future

The electricity grid is changing from the traditional model of centralized dispatchable generation, one-way power flows, and real-time balancing of generation with demand to an emerging model of two-way power flows among distributed and often variable generation sources (such as wind and solar), storage decoupling generation from demand, and smart management of power flows. The new model requires innovation in three areas: technology to enable storage at scale, smart delivery of electricity, and new microgrid architectures serving local customer use profiles; regulatory policy to deal with storage, distributed resources, and smart grid management; and business plans for utilities and other grid operators that deliver enhanced electricity services at affordable prices. Innovation in each of these areas presents challenges and opportunities that, taken together, offer the promise of greater reliability, flexibility, resilience and security.

Host: Carlo Segre, Duchossois Leadership Professor of Physics