Throughout this period the company initiated and built up transmission services to increase grid reliability.

Solar electricity mitigates the risk of fuel-price volatility and improves grid reliability.

With significant technological progress and encouragement from lawmakers and regulators, smart metering is expected to revolutionise energy management and grid reliability across the globe.

The facility does not operate often and is primarily used to maintain grid reliability in the area.

"Unless your task force addresses the matter of fundamental grid reliability, especially in this era of deregulation, this report will lack credibility and force many into making worst-case assumptions," Mr. Margevicius said.

In a fully realized distributed power generation scenario, micro-CHP may be used to supplement the less predictable generation provided by solar, wind and other energy sources, and therefore increase grid reliability.

He also suggested that the projects would increase grid reliability, limiting the $150 billion a year in economic losses suffered due to power outages.

The two are similar with an RTO being more clearly defined and born out of the concept of electrical grid reliability.

With a strong emphasis on industry collaboration and partnership, INL is enhancing electric grid reliability, control systems cybersecurity and physical security systems.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton proposed legislation that would have required utility companies to protect and promote grid reliability.