• An Epoch
• Vision
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Vision

The energy landscape of tomorrow relies 100% on domestic renewable energy. No longer must society accept generation that imposes the burden of pollution on present and future generations. These clean, ubiquitous resources will be harnessed by technologies that generate electricity at the point of consumption, as well as throughout the network that connects them.

In this landscape, centralized generation takes on a supporting role. Two-way networks with ‘smart’ communications allow the grid to accept generation from any location and any size generator. Energy storage –in homes as well as communities and businesses and across the grid – ensures stability, redundancy and reliability, no matter what demands arise.

Enhancing this new energy landscape are advanced, distributed energy exchanges that govern the interaction between consumer, supplier and storage. These distributed points maximize the effectiveness of energy generated and convey timely and clear information to all stakeholders.

With the addition of two-way communication and ‘smart’ networks, the grid becomes more intelligent. Demand-side management opportunities, those that capture “nega-watts”, are woven seamlessly into the same system that deals effectively with erratic consumption patterns. Distributed energy storage levels out the peak demands, even while it takes advantage of distributed generation to ensure minimal service disruption.

Transmission in the new energy landscape is also transformed. Layered services assures greater flexibility, enhanced regional security and a more robust national energy exchange.

With increasingly decentralized generation and strategically placed storage, the modernized infrastructure equips us to meet levels of energy demand previously unseen in this country. This demand is on the horizon today, as the transportation industry speeds its exodus from oil dependency. Tomorrow’s energy landscape will accommodate plug-in hybrids, fleet and individual electric vehicles and widespread electric mass transit.

Finally in this emerging energy landscape, price competition increases and price volatility is suppressed as the volume of energy players increases exponentially. Small generators, aggregations of voluntary demand-shifting customers, all connected by intelligent circuits and multilateral pricing signals, all contribute to a systemic robustness that enhances and assures the reliability and security of global energy supplies. The result: A fully responsive, reliable and ubiquitous energy infrastructure – an energy landscape – that guarantees a 21st century quality of life for the entire world.