The global transition to a cleaner energy grid: simple, but not easy. In response to the technical burden that the mostly-inevitable energy transition represents in many parts of the world, CEO’s from six of the world’s leading power systems operators have joined forces to launch the Global Power System Transformation Consortium (G-PST), to help countries scale the significant scientific and technical barriers to renewable energy sources.
G-PST was unveiled at last week’s BloombergNEF summit by Audrey Zibelman, CEO of the Australia Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
“Countries around the world are looking to pursue a path to modern, low-emissions energy systems, but face significant challenges in acquiring and applying the technical knowledge needed to operate and plan rapidly transforming power systems,” Zibelman said at the event. “This consortium will help meet this need by engaging key power system operators, applied research and educational institutions, governments, businesses, and stakeholders from developed and developing countries to accelerate clean energy transitions at the ambitious scope and scale that is required.”
The increasing mix of renewables across global power systems requires more flexible operation than in the past. In the U.S. alone, renewables are expected to grow from 19 percent of U.S. electricity generation in 2019 to 38 percent by 2050 – increasing the variability facing power system operators.
G-PST also aims to reduce emissions of all global pollutants by 50 percent or more during the next 10 years by integrating more clean energy investments into power systems.
Power hitters
CEO’s leading the consortium include the leaders of Australia’s AEMO, along with National Grid Electricity System Operator UK, California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Ireland’s System Operator (EirGrid), and Denmark’s System Operator (Energinet).
These founding firms will partner with more than 25 prominent system operators from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and other regions, as well as renowned research and educational institutions, to help guide the G-PST vision.
A core technical team member of the new initiative is the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a U.S.-based independent, nonprofit research organization. EPRI members represent 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States with international participation extending to 40 countries.
EPRI will work closely with leading energy research organizations, a U.S. Department of Energy national lab, and more than 25 power system operators from around the world to help grow the G-PST consortium, identify technology solutions, and coordinate with global stakeholders.
“Harnessing the insights of global energy leaders to better integrate renewables is a game changer for power system operators, customers, and the environment,” said EPRI Vice President of Innovation Mark McGranaghan, who will lead the institute’s G-PST engagement. “EPRI’s longstanding, collaborative research with energy providers and grid operators around the world will be instrumental to accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy system.”
