{"688963":{"#nid":"688963","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Beyond Technology in the Future of the Grid","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn Feb. 24, Georgia Tech\u2019s Boundaries \u0026amp; Breakthroughs panel series explored \u201cThe Future of the Grid,\u201d focusing on the technical, material, and institutional forces shaping the transition to a low-carbon energy system. The discussion centered on what shapes grid innovation today and how should public values and policy priorities should influence research and development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPanelists included \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17447\u0022\u003EJoe Bozeman\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the Schools of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Policy; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/19081\u0022\u003EConstance Crozier\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/21383\u0022\u003EGaurav Doshi\u003C\/a\u003E, assistant professor in the School of Economics; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/4073\u0022\u003ESantiago Grijalva\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Power Distinguished Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The panel was moderated by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/4502\u0022\u003EJuan-Pablo Correa-Baena\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA key theme was whether the grid\u2019s evolution is primarily shaped by technical limitations or by policy and public expectations. While infrastructure lifetimes and reliability standards pose real limits, panelists noted that institutional and regulatory frameworks often have equal, if not greater, influence. Unlocking progress may require governance reform as much as new technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panel also examined how system needs, policy goals, and societal values should shape research and development in grid materials and technologies. Participants highlighted the importance of aligning research with long-term priorities such as decarbonization, resilience, affordability, and equity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaterial supply chains emerged as another pressing concern. As renewable energy, storage, and electrification scale, demand for rare and critical minerals continues to grow. Panelists explored whether innovation and recycling alone can meet this need or whether more systemic approaches, including forms of demand reduction or \u201cdegrowth,\u201d must be considered. The discussion highlighted the tension between continued energy expansion and finite material resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe conversation also underscored the importance of clear, transparent data and communication as electricity demand evolves. As new industries and technologies reshape load forecasts, accurate metrics and responsible public messaging will be essential for informed planning and long-term trust.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the panel reinforced that building the future grid requires balancing reliability, equity, resilience, and innovation. Technological breakthroughs will be essential, but so will transparent data, institutional adaptation, and thoughtful risk-sharing.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Boundaries and Breakthroughs panel explored how engineering constraints, institutional structures and societal values collectively influence the direction of grid research and development.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Boundaries and Breakthroughs panel explored how engineering constraints, institutional structures and societal values collectively influence the direction of grid research and development."}],"uid":"35272","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 14:53:55","changed_gmt":"2026-03-17 14:55:35","author":"aneumeister3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679654":{"id":"679654","type":"image","title":"IMG_4807.JPG","body":null,"created":"1773759247","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 14:54:07","changed":"1773759247","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 14:54:07","alt":"Five panelists sit at the front of a classroom during a Georgia Tech event, with one person speaking into a microphone. A projected slide behind them displays speaker headshots and names from the Institute for Matter and Systems.","file":{"fid":"263837","name":"IMG_4807.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/IMG_4807.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/IMG_4807.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":373156,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/IMG_4807.JPG?itok=NXu1VW-q"}}},"media_ids":["679654"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAmelia Neumeister\u003C\/a\u003E | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute for Matter and Systems\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["amelia.neumeister@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}