Securing the Current: How Systems, Societies and Institutions Shape the Reliability of the Electric Grid : Exploring the External Forces Surrounding the Grid, From Governance and Affordability to Social Cohesion and Global Stability.

This book explores electric grid reliability from a non-technical, multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on societies facing economic, political, or environmental instability. It also shows how infrastructure performance depends not only on engineering systems but also on institutions, economies, and social conditions.

This book examines emerging theories of electric grid reliability from a non-technical perspective, offering insights relevant to societies experiencing economic, political, or environmental instability. Using a multidisciplinary lens, it explores the complex relationship between critical infrastructure and broader societal conditions. The book challenges the traditional reliability paradigm—effective in stable, mature grid environments but increasingly fragile in regions facing systemic stress. Through analysis of key domains influencing grid performance, supported by real-world examples and evidence-based research, the text expands the conversation beyond conventional engineering frameworks. It shows how reliability is shaped not only by technical systems but also by institutions, economies, and social structures. By reframing reliability in this broader context, the book provides policymakers, analysts, engineers, and researchers with new perspectives on understanding and strengthening electric infrastructure in an increasingly uncertain world.