This week’s extreme cold tested power grids around North America, and so far, investments in weatherization, storage, and customer engagement systems have helped utilities withstand the increased demand for electricity and any challenges caused by equipment failure. Texas issued several power conservation requests last week as temperatures plunged, and solar power helped meet increased demand. In Alberta, a smart phone app notified consumers of a demand emergency, and users immediately went into conservation mode, shaving nearly 100 MW of power almost immediately following the alert. We’d like to hear about successful strategies for weathering the extreme cold conditions the nation experienced last week. If you have press releases, news reports, videos, or other materials that showcase your cold-weather resilience investments and best practices please contact us.

Thanks to those of you who joined us in Washington, DC for gridCONNEXT® last month. The exciting two-day event brought together GridWise Alliance members, Department of Energy officials, members of Congress, thought leaders, and media for wide-ranging discussions about how to accelerate the deployment of innovative grid technologies to strengthen reliability, resilience and the integration of clean energy. GridWise Executive Director K. Malaika Walton captured the highlights in a wrap-up blog post; stay tuned for the release of session recordings in the second quarter of 2024.

The world appears to have fully embraced the return of in-person gatherings, and we are looking forward to two big events in February, the NARUC Winter Policy Summit in Washington DC from February 25-28, and Distributech in Orlando from February 26-29. The GridWise Alliance will once again be co-sponsoring the Clean Energies Industries Reception at NARUC on February 25th (6:30-9pm). Click here for more information and to RSVP.