Modernization of Electric Power System

The electric power system is facing increasing stress due to fundamental changes in both supply and demand technologies. On the supply side, there is a shift from large synchronous generators to lighter-weight generators (e.g., gas-fired turbines) and variable resources (renewables). On the demand side, there is a growing number of distributed and variable generation resources, as well as a shift from large induction motors to rapidly increasing use of electronic converters in buildings, industrial equipment, and consumer devices. The communications and control systems are also transitioning from analog systems to systems with increasing digital control and communications, from systems with a handful of control points at central stations to ones with potentially millions of control points.