Breakout session: Technology innovation for resilient electricity grids

Electricity networks around the world are facing serious new challenges, stemming from a range of factors including age, weather and changes to how power is supplied and used. The need to rapidly expand power transmission capacity, enhance system flexibility, and improve electricity grid resilience has become a central pillar of energy security, while also supporting efforts to extend electricity access.

The case for continued and strengthened innovation is evident in the suite of technologies that are becoming deployed today but were not readily available just one decade ago. This includes grid-forming inverters, dynamic line rating and high temperature superconducting cables. Other technologies — solid state transformers, E-STATCOMs, long duration energy storage — are highly promising solutions for critical challenges and are in the final stages of testing. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are enhancing the ability to optimise grid design and operation, including through digital twins.

However, in this sector deployment is often slow in comparison to the expected needs in the next decade or more. Sluggish uptake – whether for institutional, market or financial reasons – is a problem: it stymies learning and cost reductions, and it can raise the cost of future interventions if today’s emerging problems intensify over time.