August 3, 2026
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
Please read the highlights on this page. For a full review of everything happening within the GRID DATA Repository and the BetterGrids Foundation, please download our newsletter below.
Summer 2026 Highlights
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- A message from Dr. Ali Vojdani, reflecting on the organization’s ongoing commitment to support electric power research, expand collaborative network efforts, and provide trusted, well-organized grid data resources.
- Technical Committee updates focused on enhancing repository operations, strengthening cybersecurity, and advancing an AI-ready research infrastructure capable of supporting accurate analytics and grid modernization.
- A recap of the webinar “AI and the DER Challenge,” featuring leaders from Qualus, Southern Company, Flex Energy, and Illinois Institute of Technology discussing real-time decision support, reliable data governance, and practical applications of AI in utilities.
- Notable new repository additions, including the KAPSARC Energy Model (KEM) for Saudi Arabia, ESMAP’s derived map of global electricity lines, and South Africa’s data from the Global Electrification Platform (GEP).
- A Board Spotlight on Dr. Alexandra “Sascha” von Meier, recognizing her extensive expertise, educational leadership, and dedicated service on the Board of Directors since the Foundation’s inception in 2017.
Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Summer 2026 BetterGrids Newsletter first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>The BetterGrids Foundation is sponsoring a webinar on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. (PST)!
AI and the DER Challenge – Exploring Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future of Electric Utilities
AI is becoming a foundational enabler for utilities seeking to build a more resilient, flexible, and future-ready grid. As rooftop solar, EV adoption, and behind-the-meter storage (AKA DER) accelerate, utilities face rising complexity at the distribution level — from feeder congestion and voltage instability to forecasting uncertainty and capital planning pressure. What role will AI play? Join us for an engaging webinar featuring leaders from a progressive electric utility, a leading research institution, and a technology innovator as they explore how the rapid growth of distributed energy resources is reshaping the grid and how AI-driven forecasting, real-time DER orchestration, and advanced grid analytics are turning these challenges into opportunities.
Register HERE.
The post Webinar: AI and the DER Challenge – Exploring Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future of Electric Utilities first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>March 07, 2026
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
Please read the highlights on this page. For a full review of everything happening within the GRID DATA Repository and the BetterGrids Foundation, please download our newsletter below.
Winter 2026 Highlights
- A message from Dr. Ali Vojdani, reflecting on a defining year for BetterGrids and the organization’s continued mission to support research and education through trusted grid data resources.
- Technical Committee updates focused on strengthening repository resilience, infrastructure modernization, and governance to support long-term data stewardship.
- A recap of the webinar “The Impact of AI on the Power Industry Workforce,” featuring leaders from Accurant International, AWS, and Exelon discussing how AI adoption is shaping utility operations and workforce readiness.
- Notable new repository additions, including the PyPSA-USA and PyPSA-EUR open-source power system models and the TEMPO electric vehicle charging demand dataset.
- A Volunteer Spotlight on Nancy Nielsen, recognizing her behind-the-scenes contributions supporting webinars, communications, website updates, and community engagement.
Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Winter 2026 BetterGrids Newsletter first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>The BetterGrids Foundation is sponsoring a webinar on December 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (PST)!
The Impact of AI on the Power Industry Workforce: Exploring Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future of Electric Utilities
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as both a catalyst for innovation and a driver of change across the power engineering and utility operations landscape—not only redefining the technical contours of power engineering and operations but also reshaping the human capital that sustains our electric infrastructure.
AI technologies, including machine learning, advanced analytics, natural language processing, and automation, are becoming increasingly integral to daily operations, driving new standards of reliability, safety, and sustainability. This forward-looking webinar convenes luminaries from leading electric utilities, technology firms, and academic circles to examine the multifaceted impact of AI on the workforce that powers our electricity grids and ensures the reliability of essential services.
Join us to hear the perspectives of our luminary panel of power industry executives, drawing on their 200+ years of experience in technology development and implementation.
Register HERE.
The post Webinar: The Impact of AI on the Power Industry Workforce first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
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Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Help Shape the Future of Grid Data – Quick 5-Minute Survey first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>August 11, 2025
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
Please read the highlights on this page. For a full review of everything happening within the GRID DATA Repository and the BetterGrids Foundation, please download our newsletter below.
Summer 2025 Highlights
Message from our President: Dr. Ali Vojdani, BetterGrids Foundation
As we navigate a rapidly changing energy landscape to support electrification and AI, one thing remains clear: data is the foundation of tomorrow’s grid. At BetterGrids, we are committed to ensuring that data is not only available but trustworthy, organized, and accessible to all who need it — from researchers and students to utilities and innovators.
This year, we have made significant strides — including achieving full operational independence of BetterGrids.org, welcoming new board members, and deepening our technical focus through the continued work of our Repository Curator, Webinars, and Technical Committee. Each effort reflects our long-term mission: to build an open platform that enables better grids for all.
Thank you to our board members, volunteers, and donors for helping us move this vision forward. I invite you to stay engaged and help shape what’s next.
Welcome to our Newest Members of the BetterGrids Board of Directors
The BetterGrids Foundation is proud to welcome Bahman Hoveida to its Board of Directors. A distinguished electrical engineer and entrepreneur, Mr. Hoveida brings a lifetime of experience, technical innovation, and deep philanthropic values that align seamlessly with the Foundation’s mission.
Mr. Hoveida’s addition to the BetterGrids Board marks an exciting chapter for the Foundation. His presence brings not only technical insight and strategic vision, but also a track record of generosity—HFF has long been a philanthropic supporter of the BetterGrids mission. His belief in open access, data-driven research, and collaborative innovation reflects the very values at the heart of the GRID DATA Repository.
We are honored to have Mr. Hoveida join the Board and are excited to build on his legacy of impact and excellence.
Technical Committee Update: Elevating the Grid Through Data, Dialogue, and Independence
As utilities, researchers, and policymakers navigate rapid technological shifts, the BetterGrids Technical Committee continues to serve as a vital clearinghouse for ideas, priorities, and collaboration. Meeting regularly throughout the spring and into early summer, the committee’s discussions reflect a shared commitment to transforming the repository into a deeper, broader, and more usable public asset — one that supports next-generation grid modeling, planning, and innovation.
While BetterGrids continues to host timely educational webinars, the Technical Committee remains focused on the substance behind the scenes: data gaps, model curation, platform independence, and emerging use cases that demand interdisciplinary attention.
Unique Models from 2025!
Inside the newsletter you will find some interesting models from NREL and Ausgrid.
Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Summer 2025 BetterGrids Newsletter first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>The BetterGrids Foundation is sponsoring a webinar on June 25, 2025, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. PDT!
From Data Gaps to Data Confidence: Transforming Utility Planning with AI and Experience
Join experts from 4M Analytics (4manalytics.com), Qualus (qualuscorp.com) , and Esri (esri.com) for a one-hour webinar exploring how AI and decades of industry experience are transforming utility planning.
Learn how to eliminate data gaps, reduce project risk, and accelerate smarter infrastructure decisions
with real-world insights and next-gen utility detection technology.
What You’ll Learn:
- How AI improves utility data accuracy and eliminates manual research delays.
- Ways to detect underground utility risks early to prevent costly rework.
- Strategies for integrating utility data into existing workflows and systems.
- Lessons from real projects at leading utilities using Utility Object Detection 2.0.
Register HERE.
View the webinar recording HERE.
The post From Data Gaps to Data Confidence: Transforming Utility Planning with AI and Experience first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>February 14, 2025
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
Please read the highlights on this page. For a full review of everything happening within the GRID DATA Repository and the BetterGrids Foundation, please download our newsletter below.
Winter 2025 Highlights
Reflecting on 2024: Our goals were met with great SUCCESS!
2024 has been a transformative year for BetterGrids, marked by technological advancements, enhanced independence, and expanded data access. The repository grew to 671 models, thanks to Jason Lin’s outreach and curation. To improve usability, we are evaluating additional model collections for better categorization. A major milestone was the successful IT migration, ensuring full operational independence. This transition enhanced cost-effectiveness, credibility, and flexibility for partnerships. Significant repository additions include NREL’s latest electricity generation data, U.S. county-level hourly consumption profiles, and global power grid frequency datasets. Efforts will continue to source high-resolution demand-side data for AI applications and research.
BetterGrids resumed its educational webinar series, with plans for quarterly sessions in 2025. Keep an eye out for emails relating to upcoming webinars, or if you aren’t on our email list, check BetterGrids.org for updates.
Fundraising efforts doubled revenue, and an ongoing matching campaign aims to boost individual contributions. Immense gratitude to the Hoveida Family Foundation and the Vojdani Trust for their continued support as we grow the repository and explore new ways to build and connect with the BetterGrids community.
Looking ahead, our priorities include expanding data resources, enhancing user engagement, and recruiting
new technical committee and board members.
Unique Models from 2025!
Inside the newsletter you will find some interesting models from NREL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Volunteer Spotlights
Thank you to Eugene Spevakov for your talents, efforts, and dedication for the betterment of the Repository!
Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Winter 2025 BetterGrids Newsletter first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>The BetterGrids Foundation is sponsoring a webinar on December 12, 2024, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. PDT!
“Lessons From the Storm” with Ocala Electric
Discover how innovation and technology have reshaped storm preparation and response in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season. Ocala Electric invites you to an insightful session packed with real-world strategies, powerful technologies, and lessons learned that could redefine the future of storm resilience.
What You’ll Learn:
- Cutting-Edge Technology in Action: Explore the latest advancements Ocala Electric has leveraged to enhance real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and storm forecasting.
- Innovative Preparations: Uncover the detailed storm preparation protocols and how Ocala Electric uses data-driven insights to protect critical infrastructure and ensure community safety.
- From Response to Recovery: Hear firsthand how response teams managed restoration efforts efficiently and what new strategies have emerged from 2024’s extreme weather challenges.
- Interactive Q&A Session: Engage directly with the experts, ask your burning questions, and learn how you can apply these groundbreaking practices to your own grid management.
Register HERE.
View the webinar recording HERE.
The post Webinar: “Lessons From the Storm” with Ocala Electric first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
]]>August 12, 2024
Newsletter for the GRID DATA Repository and BetterGrids Foundation, Inc.
Please read the highlights on this page. For a full review of everything happening within the GRID DATA Repository and the BetterGrids Foundation, please download our newsletter below.
Summer 2024 Highlights
Renew, Recharge, and Independence!
BetterGrids is off to a great start in 2024! With goals of recharging our efforts, BetterGrids is working on many goals to make a bigger and better impact on the Grid for future years to come.
- Operating within budget while growing the user community and growing the number of grid models and datasets.
- Continue Outreach & Community Engagement Activities by issuing Bi-Annual newsletters and the facilitation of educational webinars by the community.
- Expand the Support Organization by engaging our new treasurer, the contract Repository Webmaster/Administrator, and Contract Administration and Communications support.
- Expand Fundraising: Double Fundraising revenue. Through the generosity of the Hoveida Family Foundation and the Vojdani Trust, we are off to a great start in 2024!
Unique Models from 2024!
Inside the newsletter you will find some interesting models from NREL, North South University & Virginia Tech, and Open Science Framework.
Volunteer Spotlights
Thank you to Terry Nielsen and Stephen J. Callahan for your tremendous support of the BetterGrids Repository.
Performance Improvement Achievement Goals
We have had great success in working towards the completion of our goals! Find out all the details in the newsletter.
Stay Current
Stay up to date on the Repository progress and BetterGrids by following us at LinkedIn, Twitter, or our mailing list.
The post Summer 2024 BetterGrids Newsletter first appeared on BetterGrids.org.
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