The Future
of Utility
Infrastructure
PG 2
Where Our Utility
Infrastructure
is Today
There are approximately 10,000 power documented that the aging power grid is
generation facilities, 600,000 miles of struggling to provide reliable and consistent
transmission lines and 5.5 million miles of energy to match increasing demands and
distribution lines in the U.S. that make up evolving technology.
the power grid. This infrastructure has been
transporting power to homes, businesses, This white paper covers the problems
and communities across the nation since facing the utility industry and how utility
being built in the 1950s and 1960s. With an owners can prepare for the future of utility
initial life expectancy of 50 years, it’s well infrastructure.
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PG 3
Problems with the Current
Utility Infrastructure
In a rapidly changing world, the aging infrastructure
of the U.S. power grid is struggling to keep up.
INCREASED ENERGY DEMAND + AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
The global demand for energy is expected to rise by nearly 50% between
2020 and 2050. In our increasingly technology-driven world, these higher
energy demands will put a strain on aging infrastructure to meet efficiency,
affordability and reliability standards. The ASCE estimates that customers will
experience $85B in annual losses from unreliable power if utility infrastructure
does not receive adequate investment.
leaf THE PUSH FOR CLEAN ENERGY
Several states have revised their Renewable Portfolio Standards goals to aim
for as much as 50% renewable energy by as early 2030. However, due to the
intermittent nature of renewable power generation and lack of adequate
storage infrastructure, integrating variable renewable energy (VRE) sources
into the grid is difficult. In California, for example, issues with renewable
integration have lead to rolling blackouts as a means of conserving power.
plug A TECHNOLOGY DISCONNECT
The grid will require greater interoperability and efficiency as it integrates more
renewables, microgrids and distributed generation sources to meet energy
demands. Smart grid technology, including IoT devices and cloud-based data
management platforms, will need to be leveraged in order to increase the
efficiency, productivity and optimization of the grid as it becomes modernized.
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
CHAPTER OF WHITEPAPER PG 4
Understanding Commercial Power
What is Grid Modernization?
Generation
To keep up with changing demands, the aging
infrastructure of the grid will require investment
in new technology.
Grid modernization means updating the grid with the latest hardware and
software innovations to ensure its interoperability, efficiency and affordability.
With smart grid technology, facility owners and operators can update their
infrastructure to meet the changing needs of the 21st century.
Smart grid technologies consist of controls, computers, automation and new
technologies that offer enhanced monitoring and data collection throughout
the grid. This helps operators to spot and resolve potential mechanical failures,
integrate VRE sources and increase the overall efficiency of their facilities.
Implementing smart grid technology can increase efficiency in multiple ways.
For example, with real-time data collection and automated controls, smart
technology can reroute power distribution according to analytical forecasting
and help prevent the need for rolling blackouts or unintended outages.
Smart grid technology can also reduce operational and maintenance costs by
automating metering and billing. By routing customer data through a custom
API, facility owners can even improve customer service and satisfaction by
offering transparency and real-time updates on power usage.
Smart grid components can help facility owners and operators address the
challenges of modernizing grid infrastructure, improving grid resiliency and
ensuring reliable power to their consumers in the process.
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
PG 5
How Utilities can
Prepare for Grid
Modernization
Readying the electric grid for the future standards and regulations for the energy
will be a tremendous undertaking requiring industry to follow. By testing and tracking
cooperation and investment from the improvements, we can ensure that we all
private and public utility sectors. As the grid reap the benefits of grid modernization.
is brought into the 21st century through the Load bank testing offers utility operators
implementation of smart grid technology, the most efficient and accurate means of
it will be critical that owners and operators testing all-new smart grid technology.
carry out testing, monitor new technology
improvements and develop comprehensive
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
PG 6
Load Bank Testing
Enables Grid
Load testing is the key to upgrading utility
infrastructure with smart grid technology.
Load bank testing offers essential accuracy
and control, enabling utility owners to reach
grid modernization goals more effectively.
ENSURE RELIABLE OPERATIONS
Using a combination of load banks and generators, utility owners can
get accurate and controllable parameters for assessing the operational
efficiency of their facility. By fully-energizing a facility, you can test how
all of your system components, including new smart grid technologies,
work independently and in concert with one another. Load testing
with load banks is more accurate than leveraging grid power because
you can avoid power fluctuations common with the grid. This ensures
reliable and consistent results by providing you with a replicable
baseline of measurement for future testing.
ENABLE PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE
By providing an accurate assessment of facility operations, load bank
testing helps to greatly minimize the financial and operational risks
of outages caused by voltage, sensors and relays not functioning to
specification. Consistently scheduled load bank testing provides insight
into how the facility is functioning, allowing owners and operators to
identify performance and equipment issues, make adjustments before
an outage occurs and reach maximum performace.
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
PG 7
ComRent: Your
Partner in Grid
Modernization
When it comes to updating your utility utility infrastructure landscape, including
infrastructure with the latest in smart grid generation, distribution and transmission
technology, there’s no better partner than for wind, solar, coal, natural gas and nuclear.
ComRent. We have the largest inventory By partnering with the experts at ComRent,
of specialized products for testing AC you can rest assured that your facility is
and DC power systems in North America operating at maximum efficiency with
and have completed projects across the newly integrated technologies.
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
CHAPTER OF WHITEPAPER PG 8
Are you ready to
upgrade your facility?
Contact ComRent to ensure new technology
is integrated succesfully and efficiently.
ComRent Corporate Headquarters
10901 W. 120th Ave., Suite 150
Broomfield, CO 80021
888 881 7118 www.ComRent.com
© COMRENT INTERNATIONAL, LLC. COMRENT.COM | 888 881 7118
