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Since 1995, electrical grid power outages have steadily increased as R&D in new technologies steadily decreased. Dr. Massoud Amin Author’s Note: Recently, I wrote an article for the IEEE Spectrum on the U.S. Electrical Grid. The original post can be found in the IEEE Energy Policy Department. I also spoke on this subject to NPR [...] The North American electric power infrastructure is a highly complex dynamical system. The reliable operation of the power generation and delivery system requires the multi-level interactions and integration of numerous specialized component technologies and systems. While advancing the capabilities and performance of individual system components is important to enable progress, it is essential to remain focused on solving larger systemic challenges in order to successfully achieve a fully operable Smart Grid. [...] As a national Smart Grid is constructed, it is important that developers include renewable energy and localization considerations to ensure that the Smart Grid operates as close to 100% efficiency as possible. [...] There was also a 60 Minutes piece on cyber attacks that showed publicly, among other things, that long-rumored cyber attacks on power grid had occurred in 2005 and 2007. This piece clearly identified that the power grid is still very vulnerable to cyber attacks. [...] We must modernize the electric power infrastructure, and evolve it into a smarter, stronger, more secure and more resilient system. Electricity is the lynchpin and enabling infrastructure for all knowledge- and innovation-based economies. [...] Editor’s Note: This post is Part 2 of a two-part transcript from an Access Minnesota interview with Dr. Massoud Amin. Access Minnesota is a weekly public affairs radio and television show featuring noted academics, authors, politicians and business leaders engaging in common sense conversations about compelling and relevant issues in the state of Minnesota, across the nation, and around the globe. [...] Editor’s Note: This post is Part 1 of a two-part transcript from an Access Minnesota interview with Dr. Massoud Amin. Access Minnesota is a weekly public affairs radio and television show featuring noted academics, authors, politicians and business leaders engaging in common sense conversations about compelling and relevant issues in the state of Minnesota, across the nation, and around the globe. [...] Nearly three years after the I-35W bridge collapse on August 1, 2007, questions remain about the safety and security of the nation’s infrastructure. Do we have the systems in place to prevent large-scale, systemic failures? A University of Minnesota expert, who witnessed the collapse, can comment on U.S. infrastructure needs and challenges in the wake of the 35W bridge collapse anniversary is Massoud Amin, director, Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) and professor of electrical and computer engineering [...] Before deployment of a self-healing power grid, physical and cyber security issues for smart grid distribution systems must be discussed, including vulnerabilities and security needs. Planning has already begun to replace much of the antiquated electric infrastructure with digital systems providing the grid with the capability to reconfigure itself and prevent widespread outages. Often, this collection of digital overlaid systems is referred to as ‘smart grid’. The benefits from smart grid, however, go well beyond just increasing the reliability and security of the nation’s electricity supply. It provides a means to reach national energy independence, control emissions, and combat global warming. [...] |
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