Effective, Efficient, and Informed Research, Development, and Demonstration for the Electricity System: Issue Paper (2026)
Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task
Appendix A
Statement of Task
The U.S. electricity system is undergoing a period of immense technological and operational change, including how and where new technologies are developed. Given increasing electricity demand and the need to maintain reliable service, understanding how to create the most impactful research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) outcomes for the electricity system is of critical importance.
Individual experts on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Forum on Informed Investment, Technology, and Policy Pathways for the Electricity System and Interdependent Energy Infrastructure will author an Issue Paper to elevate and synthesize insights for creating effective and efficient RD&D in the electricity system. Specific topics to be discussed include:
- Illustrative examples of industries producing innovations for electricity grid operational advancement, and the types of institutions that are producing these advances
- Strategies for overcoming disruptions from “seams” in the innovation process for the electricity system, such as issues in handing off advancements between sets of actors in the innovation process
- Opportunities for building informed and prudent public–private, cross-sector, and international partnerships on science and technology for the grid to advance innovation for the electricity system
- Potential strategies for maximizing impacts in electric sector innovation with a set amount of resources
