Modernizing the post-Sandy electrical grid: Opinion

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on December 26, 2012 at 4:02 PM, updated December 26, 2012 at 4:09 PM
GA1106smsandy murray.JPG A car drives under downed power lines on Mullen Lane in Bernardsville in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  
By Wayne Pfisterer

Hurricane Sandy slammed into New Jersey and our neighboring states, destroying homes, businesses, our shoreline and stability. It left approximately 2.7 million customers without power and, at its height, almost two-thirds of New Jersey in the dark. The economic impact is estimated to be at least $20 billion.

The hurricane sent a clear message: The country’s current energy system is antiquated and overstressed. Even as the U.S. has added new power sources, innovative technologies and developed more efficient power models, the grid has not changed much in the last 50-60 years. In 2008, The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the country power grid infrastructure a “D” grade, saying it is in “urgent need of modernization.”

Updating the U.S. power grid means shifting from the current centralized model to smaller functioning pockets. Decentralized micro-grids are capable of predicting power disruptions, isolating damaged areas and connecting to alternate power sources. This translates into fewer areas without power and for shorter periods of time and would allow New Jersey towns, homes and services to minimize the effect of outages that may occur nearby or in other parts of the state. A blanket of micro-grids will result in fewer widespread outages and faster restoration.

Modernizing our grid is the end game, but we won’t have this solution overnight. Even if all the utilities, townships, states and regulatory agencies began today to make the required changes and improvements, the roll out would take years and the cost would be staggering. For instance, a seemingly simple strategy of burying power lines is stymied by flood areas, tree-clearing, existing architecture and infrastructure. While we look to update the country’s electrical system in the near future there are things that can be done right now to prevent power loss.

The immediate solution is onsite power. A building un-tied to the grid, capable of producing its own power can serve as a spring of electricity even amidst widespread darkness. As a state, while we await large scale change, these are the measures that we have to adopt now.

Those fortunate enough to have had access to a natural gas generator after Sandy, quickly realized that it was a limited, short-term solution. Service stations also lost power and couldn’t pump gas. Any gas station lucky enough to have or regain power quickly depleted their supply, producing long lines of frustrated people. Many new generator owners have yet to realize while their generators sit idle waiting for the next storm, they require regular maintenance and a standby gas supply to remain operational. As New Jersey begins preparing for the predicted harsh weather patterns that lay ahead, is using a generator as a personal or corporate back-up power strategy enough? We’ve learned it’s not.

While the onsite power systems, also known as distributed generation (“DG”), vary, they work well together to generate continuous power. DG technologies include generators and renewable energy systems such as wind and solar, fuel cells, and battery storage systems. These technologies used in conjunction with a natural gas generator and a dependable back-up power solution “stack” numerous on-site technologies so that power options are available no matter what is happening with the grid.

As the second largest solar state in the nation, New Jersey is already a leader in renewable and DG solutions. We use solar panels and wind turbines to generate electricity, and solar thermal systems to heat hot water. Using these renewable systems in combination with fuel cells and generators can provide stand-by power to keep our state energized during grid failure. As a simple example, DG backup systems in gas stations would have provided the energy for pumping and significantly reduced the gas shortage (and panic) we experienced. As an additional bonus, the renewable energy systems installed as backup power can produce power even when not in back-up mode.

The power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy exposed numerous weaknesses – aging equipment, our tether to the grid, gas-dependent backup generators, and an electrical system that require a lengthy and expensive restoration process. As our reliance on electricity continues to grow, it is obvious that we need to make changes in how we manage power. While government bodies, utility companies, and energy suppliers come together to create a solution, it’s up to individuals and businesses to be prepared. New Jerseyans should understand and evaluate the different types of backup and emergency power options that can reduce their vulnerability.

Wayne Pfisterer is president of Pfister Energy in Hawthorne.