The Top 5 Grid Enhancing Technologies Transforming the Power Industry

In an era where electricity demand is skyrocketing and the shift toward renewable energy is crucial, a more effective and dependable power system is essential to make this transition seamless. Enter Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs), which are innovative solutions designed to optimize our existing electrical transmission infrastructure.

By integrating renewable energy sources, enhancing grid reliability, and optimizing existing infrastructure, Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) are revolutionizing the power industry. Advanced conductors, energy storage solutions, power-flow control devices, dynamic line rating (DLR), and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provide a sustainable path forward.

We explore the top 5 GETs transforming the electricity industry and paving the way for a future powered by sustainable energy.

#1 Dynamic Line Rating (DLR)

DLR is revolutionizing the electrical system by adjusting transmission line temperature limitations in real time based on current weather conditions. First effectively used in the early 2010s, DLR can boost transmission line capacity by up to 30 percent, reducing congestion and improving reliability.

According to the IRENA 2020 Report, Elia in Belgium and RTE in France reported a 30 percent increase in line capacity with DLR. The EU TWENTIES project indicated about a 10-15 percent average increase in transmission capacity with DLR forecasts. In Germany, applying DLR could save EUR 27,000 per day by reducing redispatch needs. AltaLink in Canada achieved a 22 percent capacity increase with DLR 76 percent of the time. Simulation studies also suggest that DLR can reduce curtailment and increase ampacity by 20-40 percent, with potential boosts of up to 150 percent in windy conditions.

In the US, the Department of Energy’s DLR project improved grid efficiency at Idaho National Laboratory by 15 percent, increasing transmission capacity and preventing overheating and malfunctions. In 2018, Power Grid Corporation carried out a trial project in India using DLR technology, resulting in around 20 percent line capacity increase, easing traffic, and enhancing power supply reliability.

#2 Energy Storage Solutions

Energy storage solutions, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, are crucial for integrating renewable energy sources and stabilizing the grid. This grid enhancing group of technologies store excess energy when demand is low and release it when needed, ensuring grid stability since the early 2010s.

Tesla’s Hornsdale Power Reserve in Australia expanded in 2020, is one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery systems. It has saved about USD 116 million in grid services and helped prevent power outages by supporting renewable energy integration.

Vistra Energy’s Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California, launched in 2020, is the world’s largest battery storage system with an initial capacity of 300 MW/1,200 MWh. It provides crucial services like frequency regulation and peak shaving.

In 2021, the “Big Battery” in Victoria, Australia, using Tesla technology, started operation with a capacity of 300 MW/450 MWh, improving grid reliability and supporting renewable energy goals. Pivot Power’s Battery Storage and EV Charging Network in the UK, part of EDF Renewables, began in 2019, offering 50 MW of battery storage to support grid services and fast EV charging.

India’s largest utility-scale battery energy storage system, was recently installed by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) in, provides 10 MW/10 MWh in Delhi, enhancing grid stability, managing peak load, and improving power quality. A string of recent energy storage tenders drive home just how important storage will be for the future grid.

#3 Advanced Conductors

Advanced conductors, made of materials like carbon fiber and aluminum composite core, are transforming electricity transmission by using low-resistance, high-capacity cables. Compared to conventional conductors, they have a higher carrying capacity, minimizing energy losses and lessening the need for additional transmission lines.

In 2021, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) implemented advanced conductors in their transmission lines, increasing power transfer capacity by around 40 percent.

China Southern Power Grid (CSG) installed high-capacity conductors in their 500 kV transmission lines in 2019, enhancing grid efficiency by up to 20 percent. Eletrobras in Brazil used advanced conductors in the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Complex transmission lines in 2018, reducing energy losses by approximately 15 percent and improving grid stability.

Germany’s AmpaCity project in Essen deployed superconducting cables in 2014, marking the world’s longest superconducting cable installation. This project reduced energy losses and increased transmission capacity, showcasing the potential of advanced conductors in urban environments.

#4 Power-Flow Control Devices

Power-flow control devices are essential for governing the flow of electricity across the grid. These devices balance loads, avoid congestion, and divert power to unused lines, leading to significant enhancements in grid efficiency and flexibility since their implementation in the early 2000s.

These devices include phase-shifting transformers (PSTs) and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). They help balance loads, reduce congestion, and improve grid stability, enabling better integration of renewable energy sources by enhancing controllability and increasing power transfer capability.

Recent applications have shown significant benefits. Smart Wires’ project in Australia used modular power flow control devices to reduce congestion and improve grid efficiency, while National Grid in the UK increased network capacity by around 30 percent with SmartValve devices. Similarly, Western Power in California implemented FACTS to address voltage stability and integrate more renewables, and India’s PGCIL installed phase-shifting transformers to balance loads and minimize losses.

In India, as part of the Northern Region System Strengthening Scheme, power-flow control devices were introduced to handle grid congestion in the north. This project improved overall grid stability and reduced congestion by 15 percent, facilitating the incorporation of renewable energy sources.

#5 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) consists of smart meters and communication networks that provide real-time data on electricity consumption. Since their introduction in the early 2000s, AMI technologies have revolutionized grid efficiency and demand-side control by offering precise and fast usage data.

The Smart Meter Texas (SMT) project, implemented by major utilities like Oncor, CenterPoint Energy, and AEP Texas, has deployed over 7 million smart meters as of 2022. These smart meters have improved billing accuracy, enabled remote meter reading, and facilitated better energy management for consumers.

India’s Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) aims to replace 250 million conventional meters with smart meters by 2025. As of 2021, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has installed over 1.5 million smart meters across various states, leading to a reduction in AT&C losses and enhanced power quality.

The UK’s Smart Metering Implementation Programme (SMIP) aims to install smart meters in every home and small business by 2025. As of 2021, over 26 million smart meters have been installed, providing consumers with real-time energy usage data and supporting the country’s energy efficiency goals.

Italy’s Enel launched the second generation of smart meters (2G) in 2017, with over 13 million 2G meters installed by 2020. These meters offer improved data accuracy, better customer service, and enhanced grid management capabilities. In Japan, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) completed the installation of 29 million smart meters by 2020. These meters provide real-time data, reduce operational costs, and support the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.

The Puducherry Smart Grid Pilot Project in India demonstrated the advantages of AMI. The experiment showed how smart meters can improve grid reliability by reducing technical and commercial losses and enhancing power quality. Additionally, consumers benefited from more accurate bills and better control over their electricity use.

Special Mention – Topology Optimization

Topology optimization involves reconfiguring the electrical grid to improve efficiency and reliability. By optimizing the grid layout, utilities can reduce energy losses, manage congestion, and better integrate renewable energy sources. This technology emerged in the early 2000s.

In 2020, National Grid in the UK implemented a topology optimization project, resulting in about 20 percent reduction in congestion costs and enhanced renewable energy integration. This project demonstrated significant operational cost savings and improved system performance.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reported in 2021 that topology optimization in the PJM Interconnection led to an approximate 15 percent improvement in grid efficiency. By reconfiguring the network topology, PJM better managed load distribution and reduced transmission losses, proving the effectiveness of this technology in large-scale grid management.

In 2019, China’s State Grid Corporation applied topology optimization in its Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) transmission lines. This resulted in around a 25 percent increase in transmission efficiency and a significant reduction in renewable energy curtailment.

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) highlighted the benefits of topology optimization in a 2022 report. The reconfigured grid topology helped countries like Germany and Spain better manage renewable energy resources, improving grid stability and reducing operational costs.

Grid sustainability, dependability, and efficiency are expected to increase to previously unheard-of levels in the future thanks to grid-enhancing technologies. The next generation of Grid Enhancing Technologies is expected to solve the issues facing contemporary energy systems and facilitate the shift to a cleaner, more resilient energy future by incorporating AI, increasing energy storage, developing smart grid infrastructure, and improving cybersecurity.