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Iberdrola involvement leads to a Smart Grid for New York By Phillip Bane May 13, 2008 - 1:00:00 AM
QuickTake: Several studies (see links below) have recognized the importance of wind to the Northeast. NYPSC may be throwing away an important opportunity to use Iberdrola’s experience and money to deliver more renewables to the region. AWEA Highlights Wind Forecasting/NYISO Wants Wind Farms to Pay
NYISO April 21 2008 FERC Filing
NYISO April 3 2008 press release: amount of wind generation in application process
ONCOR purchase may signal challenges for BPL. Maryland’s Current Group is the North American leader in broadband over powerline (BPL) and related Smart Grid applications. It often owns and operates Smart Grid networks under long-term service agreements with utilities. Now one Texas customer has decided to buy and operate the equipment on its own. Dallas-based Oncor, which operates the largest T&D network in Texas, has purchased the existing network and additional equipment for $90M. The network now serves one-sixth of Oncor’s territory; the utility may ultimately expand it to reach one-half. But Utilipoint analyst Patti Harper-Slaboszewicz says the move came because “BPL is just not ready for primetime.” If that is the true scenario, then it underlines the growing realization that the communications piece is the weak link in the Smart Grid... and that BPL may not be ready yet to be the complete communications backbone.
If you know more about the real situation, or you have an opinion on BPL, scroll to the bottom to blog your comments.
CEC takes a hard look at Smart Grid. As part of a possible amendment to California’s Load Management Rules, the California Energy Commission’s Efficiency Committee is studying many facets of the Smart Grid, from advanced metering to demand response to time-of-use rates. On April 29, the Committee entertained presentations from (among others) Eric Lightner, the Director of the Federal Smart Grid Task Force and
QuickTake: With California and Texas leading the Smart Grid charge, it makes sense to see what they are considering next. Click the link below to navigate to the presentations, including a valuable Smart Grid timeline from
California Energy Commission Load Management Docket
BC transmission proposal gains business support. In an attempt to minimize “not-in-my-backyard” backlash, a coalition of pro-growth companies has released a preliminary study detailing the benefits of a proposed transmission line deep into British Columbia’s northwest region. The study claims the Highway 37 power line could bring over $3.5B in capital investments by allowing eight mining projects to begin production. Those projects could create 2,000 jobs, generate over $300M in annual revenues, and provide more than $75M in annual taxes to government.
QuickTake: Those who want to see more U.S. transmission could take a lesson from their Canadian neighbors. Proactive studies focusing on economic benefits can make it easier for projects to survive the inevitable protests.
Northwest Power Line press release
GWAC at ConnectivityWeek. The GridWise Architecture Council (GWAC) has played a role in the expansion of the ConnectivityWeek trade show to become a nexus for automation integration engineers and business developers. Set for May 20 – 22 in Santa Clara, CA will have close to 140 speakers and 20 tracks GWAC members playing a visible role throughout. Besides participating in some of the keynote sessions, GWAC members will address the Energy Independence and Security Act, smart grid opportunities, and advanced electric metering implementations. They will also be involved with sessions at the concurrent events, which include IndConn, HomeConn, BuilConnn, and DR-Expo.
GWAC Interoperability Context-setting Framework v1.1 document (PDF)
PGE gets go-ahead for 850,000 smart meters. Despite opposition from ratepayer advocacy groups, Portland General Electric Company (PGE) has received approval from the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) to install more than 850,000 smart meters over the next two years. The new system will also support future demand response programs to reduce the need for new power plants. PGE says it will eventually provide customers with access to daily energy use information via the Web. QuickTake: Why is it getting easier to gain regulatory approval for smart meters? Because of payback numbers like these: PGE says the capital cost will be $135M, with annual operating savings of $18M starting in 2011 just from lower costs for meter reading and shutoffs. PGE expects even bigger savings when it adds demand response, which will reduce the need to build new power plants.
U.S. Smart Grid committee kicks off in May. A newly established Electricity Advisory Committee will counsel the U.S. Department of Energy, as mandated in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Thirty inaugural members – including some of the sectors top thought leaders -- will serve one- or two-year terms. They will advise on Smart Grid deployment, energy storage R&D, renewable energy integration, and new transmission infrastructure.
Linda Stuntz, who served as Deputy Secretary of Energy from 1992-1993 and held other senior positions in DOE from 1989-1992, will chair the Committee. The Committee will hold its first meeting May 20, 2008 in Arlington, VA.
QuickTake: It’s too early to know if the Committee will have any real power. But a quick glance at the membership (see below) reveals a group that is stacked with Smart Grid proponents.
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