Electric Energy Challenges of the Future

This is a panel presentation which is part of a full panel entitled "The Future Grid to Enable Sustainable Energy Systems." The presentation is a description of `Thrust area #1\´ of a U. S. Department of Energy initiative on the future grid. Thrust area #1 is entitled “Electric Energy Challenges of the Future.” This thrust area relates to the design, operation, and conjectural configuration of the electric transmission grid in the United States to the year 2050. The main subjects discussed are: the actual configuration of the grid; the use of HVDC in the grid; the use of advanced overhead conductor technologies; the development of energy storage and its impact; a discussion of various `what if\´ scenarios, and the impact of those scenarios on the transmission grid. Part of the work described relates to system operation.