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GRIDWISE ARCHITECTURE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION By Guest Editorial Dec 19, 2007 - 5:00:00 AM
At this writing, the price of oil is approaching $100 per barrel and the Paris based International Energy Agency’s annual report just published predicts that China will surpass the United States as the world’s largest polluter in 2007 and as the world’s largest energy consumer by 2010. A major North American polluter is the electrical system. We refer to this system as “the grid,” which consists of electric generation, transmission and distribution, and electricity consuming systems.
Smart Grid reduces pollution An automated, digital grid will pollute less through (i) consumer efficiency and demand response, (ii) use of renewables and (iii) more efficient operation of the infrastructure. An automated, digital grid is what we call the Smart Grid. To convert the current grid to a Smart Grid, generation, delivery, and consumer systems must interact and communicate effectively. This interaction and effective communication is what we call interoperability.
Smart Grid is not everyone’s priority The GridWise Architecture Council (GWAC) recognizes the need for more education about the Smart Grid and interoperability. With such a diverse group of electrical users, there is a lack of consensus as to solutions. Those who will be a part of the Smart Grid include generators, transmission and distribution systems, large industrial customers, large complexes (universities, military bases and hospitals), small businesses and residential customers.
The environment in which everyone interacts with the Smart Grid is uneven. Large customers are focusing on both electricity and overall energy consumption. At times, this means electricity may not be their top priority (instead focusing on use of fossil fuels in transportation.) Electricity is even less of a central focus for the other players. Small businesses and residential customers care about being green, but also focus on convenience -- the five dollars a month saved on the utility bill is not the cost of a cup of coffee.
Congress recognizes GridWise™ Architecture Council contribution GWAC’s sole focus is interoperability, the ability of all Smart Grid components interacting and communication effectively. Without interoperability, we do not have a Smart Grid and do not reduce pollution. The U.S Congress has recognized that GWAC is a driving force in reaching this global solution. While the 2007 Energy Bill has not been signed the last available mark-ups required government agencies to solicit GWAC input about interoperability.
2008 and beyond In November of this year, GWAC hosted the Grid-InteropTM forum held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This event marks a watershed in the level of GWAC engagement with a growing Smart Grid community. There is much greater appreciation as to how interoperability enables the many transactions between electricity-related automation systems.
Recognizing the need for more education, GWAC is aggressively reaching out to the building and electric industries. As detailed in the News section of this edition (see link below), there are many upcoming meetings wherein GWAC will educate about interoperability. This is a unique opportunity for manufacturing facilities, buildings, and systems industry professionals to leverage automation technology to participate in demand response programs and Smart Grid Interoperability.
Developing this cross-sector interoperability community is a nationwide top priority. GWAC will grow the interoperability agenda in the coming years. The Smart Grid will reduce pollution and is a worthy objective, to which GWAC is committed.
This feature article was written by Jack McGowan, Chairman of GWAC, Steve Widergren, Administrator and Mike McCoy.
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