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The U.S. electric grid is so old and outdated it can't handle the influx of wind power and other intermittent renewable resources. Integrating such sources requires adapting a system that is finely tuned to balance the amount of electricity being used with the amount of electricity being generated with fickle winds.

But there is an even more pressing problem, according to this article in the New York Times: the grid isn't big enough. The wind tends to blow strongest in places, such as North and South Dakota, that are far from where people live and use electricity. And no one wants to spend the millions of dollars it would take to put in a new transmission line (not to mention the legal headache of getting all those rights of way).

So-called smart metering, advanced transmission lines and other high-tech solutions are available but are lacking the political support to be implemented. The federal government may oversee the operation of the grid but it doesn't expand it. And so far neither do the states, utilities or even wind farm operators.

Credit: © Dave Willman / istockphoto.com

10 Comments

1. 1. Aiden Cohen 04:50 PM 8/28/08

   This is one more barrier to our nation's energy independence. The technology, know-how, and economic reasons are there, but the political determination is not. Let's spend some of those billions in war dollars at home creating jobs and rebuilding our failing infrustructure...

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2. 2. j.quasimodo 04:58 PM 8/28/08

   The system needs a backbone, and so do the politicians. If the federal money being thrown at the corn ethanol industry would be added to the subsidies, existing and proposed, for various other solutions, the grid could be rebuilt. Then (like the internet enabling competition) the various alternative sources of power could compete freely. But we have to say no to the people who want the government to pick the technical winner.

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3. 3. David M. Clemen 05:45 PM 8/28/08

   The grid may be old, but it's not outdated. It works well for the few "new" interconnections allowed (read this as "new" transmission lines).
   
   The problem lies with the "new" intermittent sources of power, such as, wind energy. If you want to furnish new types of power generation for an existing system, then you must adapt the existing system to use it successfully (read this as "new" transmission lines). As long as you are not willing to modify the existing transmission system, which worked well with other types of power generation; you cannot blame the "as is" transmission system for being outdated.

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4. 4. David M. Clemen 05:46 PM 8/28/08

   The grid may be old, but it's not outdated. It works well for the few "new" interconnections allowed (read this as "new" transmission lines).
   
   The problem lies with the "new" intermittent sources of power, such as, wind energy. If you want to furnish new types of power generation for an existing system, then you must adapt the existing system to use it successfully (read this as "new" transmission lines). As long as you are not willing to modify the existing transmission system, which worked well with other types of power generation; you cannot blame the "as is" transmission system for being outdated.

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5. 5. Aimeeanne 08:40 PM 8/28/08

   The United States government needs to recognize that today's environmental problems are not going to be an easy fix, and yes it's going to be a hassle restructuring the power grid in order to accommodate the neccessary sources of energy. Because at this point, renewable sources of energy are the only sane option. If our government does not acknoledge this fact and begin making some serious progress global warming may progress to the point that positive feedback cycles kick in and then there will be no stopping the damage. The US government needs to acknowledge this problem, grit their teeth, and set an example for the rest of the world.

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6. 6. Dan 89 03:20 PM 8/29/08

   States should charge a surtax on transmission lines and then use the surtax to reimburse part property owners property taxes. Then there might be less opposition to transmission lines and the cost of the surtax would be distruted to all the users of the electricity

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7. 7. Theaodin7 in reply to Aimeeanne 07:23 PM 8/29/08

   I keep hearing about how difficult and how long and arduous this will be. The only thing that stops the progress of cleaning up our act and our planet is plain old fashion corporate greed. Those who have, are afraid of losing what they have. I keep going back to the same old saying. Absolute power corrupts absolutly. I have a message to those in power. What good is all that money that you have accumulated through profits if we are all dead. You have no one to pass it on to to keep your legacy alive. Legends and heros are remembered for the selfless acts they performed to promote change. Wouldn`t you rather have people look back on your contribution and be remembered for saving the world instead of just one in a long line of greedy self serving persons?

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8. 8. kiranirla 09:16 AM 8/31/08

   AMERICAN PEOPLES HAVE SO MUCH MONEY SO THEY HAVE TO USE MONEY IN THIS WAY .THEY DONT KNOW THAT UOW TO USE MONEY AND THEIR BRAIN

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9. 9. kiranirla 09:18 AM 8/31/08

   AMERICAN PEOPLES HAVE SO MUCH MONEY SO THEY HAVE TO USE MONEY IN THIS WAY .THEY DONT KNOW THAT UOW TO USE MONEY AND THEIR BRAIN

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10. 10. Sam Veneer 10:20 AM 9/2/08

    On the other hand, locally (roof-top) generated power, photo electric during the day and Hydrogen fuel cell at night, needs no grid support.
    
    Expensive now, but if power costs double and/or Moor's Law can apply to photo-voltaics, then we are close.

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