The Complexity of the Evolving Grid - MISO’s Take

The grid is getting more complex, complicating the
responsibilities of the entities responsible for keeping
electricity flowing. In this episode of Grid Talk, host Marty
Rosenberg interviews Clair Moeller who is the President and Chief
Operating Officer for the Midcontinent Independent System
Operator (MISO).


The discussion focuses on the evolving power grid and the
transition to clean energy.


 “Retirements are outpacing new installations of resources
on the grid and that’s a problem that we haven’t had on the grid
since its early formation period in the ‘30s,” Moeller said.
“Things are moving in an uncoordinated fashion where we’re
creating risk for the grid that we maybe didn’t anticipate.”


One of the risks is the need for more transmission to meet
demand.


“By the time we’re all in, it will be over a hundred billion
dollars’ worth of transmission investments.”


Spending for new generation and transmission will have an impact
on consumers.


“Energy costs at the consumer level are going to go up
substantially,” said Moeller.


Moeller also talks about the pace of the energy transition and
the need for education. 


“We can reduce our carbon footprint faster if we build more
gas-fired generation so that we can turn off coal plants. But
that just doesn’t make sense to people that think we should turn
off combustion because that’s how you reduce the carbon
footprint,” he said.


Clair Moeller leads all aspects of the Operations division at
MISO, including grid operations, forward markets, system
planning, external affairs, information technology and corporate
services. Moeller also has executive responsibility for the
compliance and external affairs teams.


He is an industry expert with experience in the operation of
power systems throughout the Midwest. He is skilled at
identifying and implementing the best practices in transmission
planning and system operations.


Moeller completed the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership
course at Oxford Said Business School, the Executive Management
program at the Carlson School of Business, University of
Minnesota, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical
engineering from Iowa State University.