US electrical grid on the edge of failure

nature.com

3 pointsfeelthepain2 comments

What an alarmist headline. A networking study is done, but because they ignored the physics of the actual grid, yielded little or no new information.

One of the changes since the 2003 blackout is automation, monitoring, and control for both distribution and transmission. This provides us a near-real time look at the goings on of the grid. As the article notes, we're still learning how to utilize this data to increase grid stability and reliability.

In short, the electrical grid is in better shape today than it was in 2003 and we're continuing to make it better. Hardly a grid on the edge of failure.

Well, the headline reflects the message of the study accurately enough it seems. The caveats about the simulation not taking into account the physics of the system are in the news piece. The study itself was published in a peer reviewed journal-so whatever its weaknesses, it's not to be completely shrugged off.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com