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  • Review Article
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Grid-enhancing technologies for clean energy systems

Nature Reviews Clean Technology volume 1, pages 16–31 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Renewable energy source integration into energy systems can contribute to transmission congestion, which requires time-consuming and capital-intensive upgrades to address. Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) can increase the capacity of grids with minimal investment, preventing congestion and curtailment of renewable energy. In this Review, we discuss the principles and uses of GETs, which use software and/or hardware to interpret real-time conditions to better use the existing capacity of grid assets. GETs include dynamic line ratings, dynamic transformer ratings, power flow controls, topology optimization, advanced conductor technologies, energy storage systems, and demand response. These GETs can enhance system performance individually, but the deployment of multiple GETs together would greatly increase their effect on the grid capacity and stability by removing multiple capacity bottlenecks in parallel. Infrastructure for real-time data acquisition, transmission and analysis is key to successfully deploying GETs but requires further development and commercialization for broader deployment.

Key points

  • Grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) can unlock more transmission capacity from existing energy grids, which is essential for rapidly enabling the clean energy transition.

  • GETs use a combination of hardware and software upgrades to allow transmission assets to respond more flexibly to changing conditions, which is particularly important for intermittent power sources like solar photovoltaics and offshore wind.

  • Although large-scale upgrading of transmission networks is still essential, GETs can quickly, economically and efficiently alleviate grid congestion and optimize transmission when compared with full upgrades.

  • Successful pilot schemes and initiatives in North America, Europe and Asia have demonstrated that GET deployments contribute to increased grid reliability and resilience.

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Fig. 1: Renewable electricity capacity and addition.
Fig. 2: Grid-enhancing technology integration into decarbonized energy systems.
Fig. 3: Features of grid-enhancing technologies.
Fig. 4: Application of grid-enhancing technologies during renewable energy integration.
Fig. 5: Global use of grid-enhancing technologies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank F. Palma, A. Ghassemian and D. Howard at the US Department of Energy for providing technical support for this Review. The authors also acknowledge financial support provided by the Advanced Grid Modeling program and Office of Electricity under U.S. Department of Energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Tong Su & Junbo Zhao

  2. Laboratory of Engineering for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain

    Antonio Gomez-Exposito

  3. Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA

    Yousu Chen

  4. School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Vladimir Terzija

  5. Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, USA

    Jake P. Gentle

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Contributions

T.S. and J.Z. conceived the article. All authors participated in the writing of the initial draft as well as discussions and finalization of the article.

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Correspondence to Junbo Zhao.

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Glossary

Ampacity

Ampere capacity. Maximum capacity of current that a conductor can carry without exceeding its temperature rating.

Clearance

Minimum safe distance of the overhead conductor from the ground, or other obstacle such as buildings or trees.

Congestion

Economic impact on the users of electricity resulting from physical transmission constraints that limit the amount of power flow to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Curtailment

Involuntary reduction of renewable energy output compared with available natural resources due to grid constraints, overgeneration or other issues.

Energy system

The process chain from the extraction of primary energy to the use of final energy to supply services and goods.

Inertia

Energy stored in large rotating generators and some industrial motors, which can continue rotating and help stabilize the grid during sudden disturbances.

Load centre

Location where electricity is consumed, either a domestic or commercial consumer or a large industrial site.

Mischmetal

An alloy containing multiple rare earth elements to enhance the high-temperature resistance and extend lifespan.

Phase angle difference

Relative phase shift between two sinusoidal waveforms, indicating how much one waveform leads or lags behind the other.

Reactance

Opposition presented to alternating current, with an increase in reactance pushing power flow away from the line, while a decrease in reactance pulls more power flow into the line.

Transformer

A crucial component of the power system that steps up the voltage on the generation side for transmission and steps down the voltage on the load side for consumer use.

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Su, T., Zhao, J., Gomez-Exposito, A. et al. Grid-enhancing technologies for clean energy systems. Nat. Rev. Clean Technol. 1, 16–31 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44359-024-00001-5

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