A recent visit by Assistant Secretary Katie Jereza from the U.S. Department of Energy to Texas A&M’s Smart Grid Center showcased the center’s crucial research aimed at enhancing the resilience of the power grid amidst rising electricity demands. Located at the RELLIS Campus, the center features a control room laboratory that simulates various disruptions, such as cyberattacks and equipment failures, allowing researchers to proactively address potential grid issues.
Jereza emphasized the significant growth in electricity demand driven by sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence, particularly in Texas, which has seen marked increases even as other regions stabilize. Her visit came on the heels of the Department’s announcement of funding for 31 transmission upgrade projects through its “Spark” initiative, which allocates $1.9 billion to improve transmission technologies.
The Smart Grid Center aims to prepare engineers and students for a changing energy landscape, using lessons learned from past grid failures, such as the devastating winter storm in 2021, to inform better planning and modeling tools. Jereza expressed optimism about the center’s role in fostering confidence in new technologies and preventing future energy disruptions.
