A moment is taking shape across the country’s energy sector. People may disagree about which resources to build, where to build them, and how to pay for them. But there is growing recognition that the grid itself needs attention.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced plans this week to help fund 31 grid improvement projects across 26 states.

The projects are expected to rebuild or upgrade existing transmission lines, use technology to move more electricity through them and strengthen the system against disruptions. It is a significant investment in making better use of infrastructure we already have. New Jersey has an opportunity to bring that same sense of purpose to its own grid.

JCP&L’s recent rate proposal discusses investments in local circuits, system controls, and transmission assets. The state is also exploring a virtual power plant program that would coordinate resources such as home batteries, smart thermostats, and EV chargers. These are different efforts, but each raises a practical question: How can we get more value and reliability from the power system New Jersey depends on?

A stronger grid can help customers by reducing outages and making electricity delivery more dependable. It can help generators by improving the ability to move power where it is needed. It can also give New Jersey more room to meet growing demand and connect new resources. Those benefits depend on choosing projects carefully and keeping costs in view.

The federal announcement points to an opportunity for New Jersey to:

• identify the upgrades that deliver the greatest benefit;
• bring the right people to the table;
• move forward improving our energy infrastructure.

Whatever our views on the future energy mix, we all rely on the grid that connects it. For a deeper discussion, check out the Our Infrastructure Matters segment on the power grid, looking at the power behind the switch.