PHEVs may curb GHG... UCI to evaluate Toyota PHEV... Reconsidering meter choices

Widespread PHEVs may curb GHG. Analysis from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) finds that widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) could reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve air quality. The report concludes that widespread adoption could reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by more than 450M metric tons annually in 2050 -- equivalent to removing 82.5M passenger cars from the road.

   QuickTake: This well-reasoned, accessible analysis highlights the promise of PHEVs and the likelihood that utilities serving urban areas will soon be asked to consider a PHEV solution.

   EPRI press release

   SGN Vehicle to Grid Primer

UC Irvine to evaluate Toyota PHEV. The Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine will evaluate a prototype Toyota plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The research is part of a nearly $3M effort to determine how the widespread use of such technology would affect air quality and the electricity demand in California.

   QuickTake: This follows on the heels of Ford and SCE’s recent PHEV collaboration. In theory, PHEVs provide multiple benefits, both in lowering costs and in reducing emissions.    

   UC Irvine press release

Utilities reconsidering their smart meter choices. This consultant-sponsored article looks at how utilities are second-guessing their smart meter decisions now that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reconsidered its deployment of DCSI meters. The meters that PG&E had chosen do not provide an effective technology platform for controlling a utility ZigBee® network in and around the customer premise.  
   QuickTake: If you read our Advanced Metering Opportunity report and related articles a year ago, then you already had advance warning on the importance of ZigBee compatibility. If not, then here's another clear caution.

   UtiliPoint International article

Start now to achieve a Smart Grid tomorrow. A grid consultant offers this editorial on why utilities should begin investing today in AMI. To be properly positioned for the future, utilities must enable Smart Grid technologies right now. Utilities that deploy full AMI systems, consisting of smart meters tied to two-way broadband communications networks and an advanced meter data management system will be able to thrive during the current transition and well into the new era.

   QuickTake: A thoughtful editorial, well argued and fact-based with statistical support. This is an excellent read for managers uncertain as to how to proceed with AMI. Very business oriented and accessible.
   EnergyPulse.net article

NERC reliability standards explained. A consultant helps us understand the daunting thicket of new reliability regulations enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The editorial lays out the reasons for tougher NERC enforcement and describes which utilities need to keep a close eye on NERC’s compliance standards.

   QuickTake: A general review of what prompted NERC’s enforcement decision and describes NERC’s enforcement philosophy. Perhaps the most importance advice is that utilities must register with NERC to avoid enforcement surprises.

   EnergyPulse.net editorial

Efficiency improvements through CHP. This study by PhD candidates identifies the efficiency, environmental and economic benefits of combined heat and power (CHP). The study finds those benefits are further enhanced in heat recovery applications where waste heat is used to produce hot water, heat buildings, drive absorption cooling, or supply other thermal energy needs in a commercial building or industrial process.
   QuickTake: No surprises here, but a highly technical analysis on the advantages of CHP as a main feature of a DG system.

   EnergyVortex (PDF)

PGE plan for renewable and DR integration.  This is a description of PGE’s Smart Grid integration effort. The plan describes an energy supply strategy through 2015 that targets additional renewable resources, energy efficiency, demand-side resources and power purchase agreements of varying terms. The plan also envisions the purchase of additional capacity to assure reliability under peak-demand situations and help with the integration of variable wind generation.
   QuickTake: Increasingly, demand response and renewables are being bundled in such plans along with traditional power purchase agreements. Look for DR, AMI and AMR to become a greater and greater part of the expenditure mix. This plan will be of interest not just to utilities, but also to vendors trying to make marketing projections.
   PGE press release
   PGE integration plan (PDF)

AMR expected from many municipal planners.  An online metering journal report on a recent journal survey of 220 North American municipalities. Nearly half indicated they are planning to adopt an advanced automated meter reading within the next 18 months. Of those with AMR plans, 35% plan to adopt wireless solutions, including fixed wireless systems that will enable them to implement demand response, load management, outage management and other advanced services. The survey also shows that, for almost two-thirds of the municipalities, public safety is the major driver for adopting new technologies. Moreover, 35% are highly interested in adopting a wireless traffic management system.

   QuickTake: AMR is part of the ‘ubiquitous’ computing trend that is on the cusp of a surge in North America and Asia. Wireless sensors will find their way into a great many aspects of city life, not just power sources. Watch for muni-owned utilities to lead the way ahead of investor-owned utilities.
   Metering.com analysis

DOE funding for predictive software. EnerNex Corporation has received a DOE grant to continue creating of a software product for load modeling and prediction tools. The company says the research will try to develop modeling for accurate sensitivity assessments of the impact of weather conditions, new technologies, demand response programs and load curtailment practices.
   EnerNex Corporation press release

U.K. can save billions with smart meters. The Liberal Democrat party in the U.K. has released figures claiming that smart electricity meters can reduce the average household energy bill by between $120-$160 a year. They say this would equate to a national total of $3.9B as well as 5.6B tons of CO2. The announcement follows the Labor government’s confirmation of trials to test the devices. One Liberal Democrat official stated: “Rather than wasting time with unnecessary trials, the Government should get on with the job of rolling them out across the country now. It is obvious that smart meters cut costs and carbon usage in the home, by making it much easier for people to grasp the true extent of their energy usage.”

   QuickTake:  This easy read is a reminder of how serious the Europeans take the concept of a Smart Grid.

   Metering.com article