Major energy stoppages due to natural or man-made disasters can disrupt the lives of Americans, harm our economy, and cause cascading impacts to other critical infrastructures.

NETL contributes to disaster response by deploying resources to emergency command centers and by providing integrated vital information about critical infrastructures - assessing alternatives and impacts to energy supplies including gasoline, diesel, electricity, natural gas and heating oils; and, evaluating interdependencies among energy, telecommunications, water supplies, and transportation systems.

NETL is addressing the critical issue of upgrading the nation's aging electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) system through the development of a nationally coordinated grid modernization framework and management of T&D research and development projects.

Policy Drivers
DOE has lead responsibility for protecting our Nation's energy infrastructure from all hazards, including terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, as mandated by:

• Homeland Security Presidential Directives (Management of Domestic Incidents (HSPD-5); Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection (HSPD-7); and National Preparedness (HSPD-8);
• Homeland Security Act of 2002;
• Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
• DOE Organization Act and Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974.

Through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress enacted measures to ensure adequate transmission and distribution capacity. The bill specifically recognizes the importance of a modern 21st century electricity grid for delivery of reliable, high-quality electricity.

NETL's Contributions
NETL supports the DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) as it leads national efforts to modernize the electric grid, enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure, and facilitate recovery from disruptions to energy supply. The strategic partnership of OE and NETL improves the ability of the energy sector to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats, hazards, and supply disruptions, as well as to be proactive in efforts to modernize the electricity grid. In addition, NETL supports the Department of Homeland Security's Preparedness Directorate's Office of Infrastructure Protection by implementing and managing projects that provide physical security measures and analysis to protect energy assets and other critical assets and infrastructure.

NETL works with OE in coordinating DOE's response to energy emergencies and assisting recovery from disruption in the energy infrastructure, regardless of cause of the disruptions. During national emergencies, NETL deploys staff to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency through DOE's Emergency Support Function 12. NETL also integrates DOE laboratories' infrastructure analysis expertise during emergency operations associated with disaster response efforts.

For example, America 's Atlantic and Gulf coasts have been devastated by a series of powerful hurricanes that damaged the Nation's economy and infrastructure. NETL researchers examined possible storm tracks and assessed potential impacts to our energy infrastructure.

This model overlays energy infrastructure networks on a specific location. The vertical lines identify system interdependencies.

NETL also works with OE to modernize America 's T&D capabilities. Managed by NETL, OE's Modern Grid Strategy seeks to accelerate the nation's move to a modern electric grid by creating a flagship industry-DOE partnership that invests in demonstrating the clear impacts and benefits of integrating state-of-the-art technologies and approaches.

The Modern Grid Strategy works to develop a shared national vision for a modern grid; coordinate a stakeholder-driven process for coordination, collaboration and sharing of information; and coordinate regional technology integration projects that are indicative of a modern grid's capabilities.

Additionally, NETL coordinates and manages T&D research and development projects that contribute to grid modernization and assesses the benefits of Distributed Energy resources and their contribution to increased electricity delivery options.