A System in Transition: The Influence of Next Generation Technologies
June 20, 2022
U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Electricity
The electric distribution system in the United States is in a transitional state. While it is being modernized to support the country’s changing energy mix and the needs of 21st century electrification, the transition is far from complete. To maintain forward momentum, regulators are having to evaluate a new class of “next-generation technologies” proposed by utilities. These innovative technologies are not one-for-one replacements of aging infrastructure. Technological advancements and evolving societal and customer preferences are driving changes that are raising more complex and fundamental questions for regulators.