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Growing Use of Sensors...BPL or WiFi for the Smart Grid...GIS maps the Smart Grid. By Phillip Bane Dec 5, 2007 - 1:00:00 AM
Wireless mesh networks taking off. A form of WiFi called wireless mesh networks (WSNs) may be gaining momentum as an important communications platform for the Smart Grid, On World predicts utilities will spend $1.6B through 2011 on WSNs. Their 125-page report, titled WSN for AMI & Demand Response focuses on advanced metering and demand response application of WSN technology. The report is $999 for a single user license. QuickTake: There are also numerous applications for WSN beyond metering and DR, including remote monitoring and in-home networks -- one of the reasons SGN has been predicting for some time that WSN will be one of the communications winners. A number of companies are offering WSN as listed below.
Choosing between BPL and WiFi for the Smart Grid. Communications technologies are required to make a grid smart by providing two-way communications and remote access. Two Booz-Hamilton consultants recently published a thorough analysis of communications issues in Utility Products titled Touch, Reach, Digitize: Are utilities looking hard enough at Smart Grid’s communications backbone? The article points out advanced metering and communications are the two largest investment costs utilities must recover to start the Smart Grid build-out. It asserts that utilities will plug into commercially available fiber communications to close the “fiber gap.” It concludes that either a BPL or an integrated Wireless system (combining two or more discrete wireless platforms) can deliver the functionality to enable the potential of Smart Grid. Although agreeing that wireless is easier and cheaper to install, the report says that BPL is the preferred solution as it operates “through the wire.” QuickTake: We disagree with this conclusion. BPL has a multitude of issues, including its unavailability during blackouts and disasters when needed most. Readers should revisit the recent SGN article on why the City of Burbank chose WiFi over BPL. Readers should also look at the Spotlight article in this edition about a powerline communications technology from PCN Technology. SGN article on City of Burbank
GIS guidelines for utilities. A new book from ESRI Press provides a detailed business case for utilities using geographic information systems (GIS) to map electric and gas pipelines. Empowering Electric and Gas Utilities with GIS documents how GIS can assist in operations, logistics, customer service and even placing new generation facilities. The author, Bill Meehan, was formerly vice president of electric operations at NSTAR, Massachusetts' largest investor-owned electric and gas utility and responsible for implementation of the GIS at the utility. The book is 280 pages and costs $34.95 QuickTake: We are now beyond the "should we" stage that preoccupied us in the early 2000s. It is revealing to see so much being published now on "how do we" implement the Smart Grid.
Integrating renewables with the grid. A recently released renewable energy conversion brochure addresses manufacturers' and installers' challenges in ensuring the compatibility of photovoltaic, wind, and fuel cell power systems with international power quality standards and local utility requirements. The brochure also proposes solutions for the reduction of electromagnetic interferences (EMI) both towards the grid and towards the solar panel, as well as provides information on mitigating harmonics. The title is Renewable Energy Conversion - Grid Compliance and Reliability for Renewable Energy Systems. QuickTake: Published by Schaffner, a provider of electromagnetic compatibility and power quality solutions, the free brochure can provide utilities with an overview of the requirements for integrating renewables to the grid. It is available by clicking the link below to email a request to the manufacturer.
Guidance for investing in U.S. renewables. Recent research published by Packaged Facts provides insight into renewables as an investment in the U.S. Titled Renewable Energy Investment in the US, the report costs $3250 and analyzes each sector (solar, wind, biofuels, fuel cells, hydro, geothermal, wave/tidal, biomass/biogas) with additional analysis on what it calls alternative vehicles. Table of contents and ordering information at Infoshop Subscribe to our FREE eMail News Alert!
Smart Grid Newsletter (SGN) is the insider's guide to the Smart Grid revolution. It consists of a FREE bi-monthly email summary, along with a companion Web site that contains the full stories and other helpful materials. Benefits of subscribing: SGN is the only central source for all of the news, trends, research and marketplace information relevant to grid automation. In it, you will read about cutting edge technologies; successful pioneers and how they got ahead; regulatory changes that could unleash new markets; the latest research; and new opportunities for sales of grid-related products and services. © Copyright 2008 SmartGridNews.com |