Using a Smart Grid to evolve a reliable power system

The Nation's Power Delivery Infrastructure is under stress, aging and barely able to meet society's needs. Despite having spawned the digital age the electric infrastructure is still an analog system. In fact, the electric power industry is the only industry in the western world that has not modernized itself through the use of sensors, communications and computational ability. In particular, today's power system is incapable of efficiently meeting our needs for highly reliable, digital grade power supplied from low carbon emitting generating sources. However, a number of efforts are now underway to evolve a "Smart Grid". The Smart Grid will require extensive use of digital devices in power generation, power delivery and in our homes and offices and in the appliances and devices that use electricity.