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Quick Take: Midwest ISO is part way through its planned installation of sophisticated synchrophasor units throughout its service territory. With 44 units installed against a planned total of 165, the organization is already able to see improved situational awareness. The electric power industry has been "flying blind" for so many decades that we haven't yet grasped the full significance of our coming future. In the not-too-distant future, we'll have an "air traffic control" system for the nation's transmission network. Over the next 5-10 years, much of this smart grid technology will filter down to distribution networks, creating true command and control capabilities. â€“ Jesse Berst

Midwest ISO's $34.5 million project, funded in part by a $17.3 million Recovery Act smart grid investment grant, will have deployed 165 synchrophasors at strategic substations across the system when it is completed.

"Synchrophasors bring a new level of situational awareness to grid operators," said John R. Bear, Midwest ISO's president and CEO. 'The ultimate goal of this three-year project is to enhance visibility of the network in real time so we can more quickly and accurately manage power flows within the Eastern Interconnection. Collaboration with our members on this smart grid technology has laid the foundation for using these advanced tools to enhance awareness of system stability."

The synchrophasors, also referred to as phasor measurement units (PMUs), collect data at a previously unheard of rate: 30 times per second, far faster than the previous rate of once every four seconds.

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

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