Grid resiliency has become a buzzword reflecting the concerns of the industry. With an increase in weather extremes and natural disasters, not to mention ever-growing demand, energy providers are exploring options, such as artificial intelligence (A.I.) grid management and coordinating the electric and gas sectors. They’re also investing billions to ensure a reliable grid.

According to a report from Utility Dive, some of the latest developments and trends include:

A new interactive decision framework from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, announced in July, is designed to improve local and system-level grid planning is expected to handle anticipated load growth, adoption of distributed energy resources and state requirements for utilities to file distribution plans. This framework should aid utilities, states and stakeholders in long-term distribution grid investments to provide reliable, resilient and affordable electric service.

A $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan by electric utility Xcel Energy, filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, includes adding hundreds of weather stations near power lines, updating pole and equipment inspection schedules in high-risk areas, and expanding its vegetation management program. Wildfires have become a big risk for utilities, due to increases in extreme heat and drought. This makes it more difficult for utilities to obtain liability insurance. This multilayered plan calls for inspections to create 3D maps of equipment and terrain in high-threat areas, a multiyear program to identify and replace or upgrade equipment, the undergrounding of some power lines, replacement and repair of poles, and rebuilding transmission lines in high-risk areas.

A $35 billion investment in the grid in New York and Massachusetts over the next five years will bolster the area’s electric grid in the face of extreme weather, reduce emissions and help the states meet their clean energy goals. A U.S. Department of Energy transmission needs study concluded that a 255% increase in transmission development is needed to support clean energy plans in New York and Massachusetts.

Using quantum computing to advance fault prediction and determine when to optimize the market by turning power generators on or off will incorporate integrated planning for a reliable, resilient grid, according to a 2022 report by the Quantum Economic Development Consortium.

Using A.I. can help manage the grid, but comes with risks, such as potential cyber or physical attacks on A.I. systems or the grid, failures of A.I. models and supply chain compromises. While both potential and risk were identified in President Biden’s 2023 executive order, the Department of Energy believes that A.I. has the capability to address climate change and improve grid resiliency.

A long-term power line undergrounding program in California allows major utilities to propose 10-year plans that could harden the state’s electric grid against wildfire risks and reduce costs through economies of scale. Moving power lines underground can reduce the risk of wildfire ignition by 98%, according to Pacific Gas & Electric. 

A 2023 recommendation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corp. would see the electric power and natural gas sectors collaborate on a “blackstart system restoration plan” to bring the grid back online in the event of a widespread blackout.