by Mariela Echeverria, Communications Services Manager, NEMA

July/August 2019

The Edison Electric Institute, GridWise Alliance, and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) hosted the Grid Innovation and Infrastructure Expo on Capitol Hill recently in conjunction with the U.S. Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH).

“Innovation will be central to the long-term resilience of our nation’s energy infrastructure,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney. “Today’s expo brings together leading industry companies to highlight new technologies and innovative partnerships that are forging the path for a modern, cleaner power grid. As co-chair of the Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues on how we can invest in a stronger, more resilient grid that can withstand our current and future challenges.”

“Now and in the years ahead, technological advancements of a different kind will change the grid system in a variety of new and exciting ways,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff. “Our increasingly digital 21st-century infrastructure is laden with sensors, produces nearly unimaginable amounts of important data, and communicates via wired and wireless networks in fractions of seconds. This convergence of electricity and information technology is ushering in a more reliable, resilient, and aware 
power system. Policymakers and grid regulators are key to enabling these modern, innovative grid technologies, and the sooner they act the better for citizens and society.”

Companies at the Expo showcased a wide range of modern energy technologies, including electric vehicles, distributed energy management, cybersecurity, advanced metering, and storm hardening. The Expo included exhibits from ABB, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy, Eaton, Hitachi, Itron, Landis+Gyr, Qubitekk, National Grid, Pepco, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Siemens, and Southern California Edison. ei