Laura Sherman of the Michigan Energy innovation Business Council writes that the transition happening in generation is prompting the need for changes to the distribution system as well.
“That means evolving beyond a one-directional model, where electricity flows from power plant to transmission line to distribution system and finally to end consumer, to a two-directional model where the user is both taking electricity from and supplying electricity to the grid. It also means a more open, flexible, smarter grid where utilities, customers and third-party providers alike can work together to determine how to most effectively coordinate distributed generation, energy efficiency, storage, electric vehicles, demand response and future innovations.”
Sherman has some good advice for the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on how to build the grid of the future. Read more here.