North Carolina’s electric utilities are moving to cleaner, lower-carbon energy sources. This clean energy transition is happening while our energy supply and the electric grid that delivers it continue to fulfill their critical roles in our society and economy. This website provides education and guidance on North Carolina’s clean energy transition and the opportunities it offers our state’s utilities, citizens, communities and businesses.
Through the Exploring North Carolina’s Clean Energy Transition program (formerly “Exploring North Carolina Smart Grid”), Advanced Energy has provided educational materials and content on energy topics in North Carolina since 2017. All of the webinars, case studies and articles published to date can be found below. Our expanded focus will include the changing energy supply, behind-the-meter and grid-edge alternatives, and regulatory updates essential to enabling a clean energy transition. Our goal is to share useful and actionable information as the ways we generate and supply electricity evolve.
NC Smart Grid
Before we jump into “smart grid,” let’s talk about the “grid.” The grid is a system of wires, switches and other equipment that brings electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed. The term “grid” may bring thoughts of organization and pattern, however the electric grid is a complex system with hundreds of thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines across the United States.
Source: North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
A smart grid integrates new technologies and communication networks with the current power grid to benefit electricity customers, their communities and their power company. Electric companies have already started to install elements of the smart grid across North Carolina. Smart grid can mean many things to many people. For example, new generation, distribution controls, self-optimization, microgrids, communication equipment and smart meters can all be part of a smart grid system. Different utilities may focus on certain technologies first, or address all at once if appropriate.
Source: Duke Energy
Organizing all of the smart grid information and opportunities can be a large challenge. In general, however, most of the smart grid topics fall into three categories: economic impacts, technology and policy. As smart grid changes are made to the current grid, benefits will be seen in customer value, economic growth, municipal readiness and community sustainability.
Stay tuned for upcoming webinars.
- Smart Grid Basics – April 26, 2017 (PDF Slides)
- Solar Power and Grid Integration – May 24, 2017 (PDF Slides)
- Smart Meters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure – June 22, 2017 (PDF Slides)
- Microgrids and Grid Resiliency – September 20, 2017 (PDF Slides)
- Self-Optimizing Grid Technologies – October 24, 2017 (PDF Slides)
- Energy Storage – April 26, 2018 (PDF Slides)
- Grid Resiliency – June 6, 2018 (PDF Slides)
- Smart Grid and Economic Development – October 4, 2018 (PDF Slides)
- Electrifying Transportation in North Carolina – May 9, 2019 (PDF Slides)
- Smart Home Technologies – August 27, 2019 (PDF Slides)
- Developing North Carolina’s Energy Workforce – October 10, 2019 (PDF Slides)
- Expanding Access to the Electric Grid – December 12, 2019 (PDF Slides)
- Megatrends in the Energy Industry and Implications for North Carolina – May 14, 2020 (PDF Slides)
- Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification in North Carolina – June 24, 2020 (PDF Slides)
- Electric Rate Modernization in North Carolina – November 12, 2020 (PDF Slides)
- North Carolina Clean Energy Policy – June 9, 2021 (PDF Slides)
- Strengthening North Carolina’s Grid and Communities – August 24, 2021 (PDF Slides)
- Solar Energy in North Carolina – A 2021 View – November 18, 2021 (PDF Slides)
- Utility-Scale Battery Storage in North Carolina – June 22, 2022 (PDF Slides)
- Integrated Systems Planning – October 25, 2022 (PDF Slides)
- Power Quality through the Large Business and Industry Lens – December 14, 2022 (PDF Slides)
- North Carolina’s Electric Transportation Transition – August 10, 2023 (PDF Slides)
- Offshore Wind Energy – September 27, 2023 (PDF Slides)
- Federal Funding for the Clean Energy Transition – November 9, 2023 (PDF Slides)
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure – Brunswick EMC – PDF
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure – Brunswick EMC – Video
- Microgrids – Duke Energy – PDF
- Energy Storage – Duke Energy – PDF
- Economic Development – Duke Energy – PDF
- Heron’s Nest Smart Neighborhood – PDF
- Emissions Quantification Tools Overview – PDF
- Resiliency – Duke Energy – PDF
- Applications of GIS in the Electric Utility Sector
- Convenience & Energy Savings with Smart Speakers
- Developing North Carolina’s Workforce
- Duke Energy’s Focus on Resiliency Strengthens North Carolina’s Grid and Communities
- Electric Rate Modernization in North Carolina
- How Will Energy Storage Impact Utilities?
- North Carolina Electric Cooperatives Run Successful Water Heater Pilot
- North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives See the Future in Microgrids
- Off-Grid Solar Cabin Provides Lodging, Educational Experience for Guests
- Power Quality Through the Large Businesses and Industry Lens
- Smart Grid and Economic Development
- Smart Grid – The Grid of the Future
- Solar Energy in North Carolina: A 2021 View
- Strengthening North Carolina’s Power Grid and Communities
- The Benefits of Smart Meters
- Understanding and Managing Grid Reliability and Resiliency
- Utility-Scale Battery Storage in North Carolina
- Duke Energy Studying Next-Generation Energy Products at Emerging Technology Office
- North Carolina’s Clean Energy Transition Infographic
- Smart Grid Introductory Resources:
- Glossary of Energy and Smart Grid Terms
- Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative: The Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative created the “Next Innovation” video and operates WhatIsSmartGrid.org, they also provide detailed information on smart meters.
- Electric Power Research Institute’s Integrated Energy Network
- IEEE Smart Grid Resource Center
- DOE Introduction: The U.S. Department of Energy’s primers provide a broad overview of smart grid opportunities, technologies, and benefits.
- GridWise Alliance: The GridWise Alliance shares its national grid modernization rankings, regional workshop reports, and policy guidance.
- North Carolina Solar and Agriculture: A report from the NC Sustainable Energy Association.
- Revisiting the California Duck Curve: A report from ScottMadden Management Consultants.
- EPRI Integrated Grid: The Electric Power Research Institute shares smart grid project results and planning guidance.
- NRECA Demonstrations: The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and 23 cooperatives share findings from smart grid installations.
- Microgrid and Self-Healing Resources:
- The Microgrids Group at Berkeley Labs
- Duke Energy Grid Technology Brief: Self-Healing Networks
- Video: Microgrid System – Technology Powers Customers and Duke Energy
- Video: McAlpine Microgrid – A Distribution System Based Microgrid
- SEPA/EPRI Report: Microgrids – Expanding Applications Implementations and Business Structures
- Energy Storage Resources:
- North Carolina Energy Storage Study: This website contains information related to the North Carolina energy storage study, which was mandated through the NC General Assembly’s authorization language from HB 589.
- Electric Transportation Resources:
- North Carolina Utilities
- Visit your electric utility’s website to learn more about smart grid services they may offer.
- Duke Energy
- Dominion Energy North Carolina
- ElectriCities of North Carolina
- North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives