Is the Smart Grid a Good Deal?  New Study Attempts an Answer

Jackson Associates has announced results in the first-ever detailed cost-benefit analysis of Smart Grid savings. The study looked at the impact of load control and pricing programs on hourly electric loads (such as air conditioning, water heating, and more) from more than 800,000 residential and commercial utility customers to determine the impact on utilities. The results varied widely among the 200 U.S. utilities involved in the study, with savings ranging from negative numbers to $3.2 billion. Among other things, the study concludes that one out of ten utilities may lose money with a comprehensive Smart Grid system.  The analysis also reports that the cost-benefit ratio of comprehensive Smart Grid systems depends on a complicated mix of factors such as dwelling unit age and size.  But targeted, strategic technology deployments can significantly increase cost-benefit ratios.

   Quick Take:  Without commenting on the study’s accuracy, this is what is needed —a cost-benefit analysis for the Smart Grid. In fact, many more such studies are needed. We think the study’s conclusions will draw some negative review from those supporting Smart Grid efforts and will be used extensively by consumer advocates to fight Smart Grid expenditures. Support for Smart Grid expenditures will be in the details and the systems engineering that can improve these results, but don’t expect opponents to acknowledge that.

   Press release

   More information

   Full copy of the study (PDF)

AT&T Partners with Cooper Power to Market Smart Grid Sensors

AT&T has struck a deal with Cooper Power Systems to jointly market and sell two of Cooper’s Smart Grid sensor devices. The first, Outage Advisor, helps utilities locate problems in electrical lines, while the second, VARAdvisor, provides an alternative to manual inspection of equipment that controls voltage supplied to customers, helping to save money by reducing on-site inspections.  Both products are certified on AT&T’s wireless network.

   Quick Take:  AT&T has been working a long time with Smart Synch, but went public in March. Now, by working with Cooper to market sensor products, AT&T expands the range of Smart Grid tools and services it can offer utility customers.

   Press release

Comverge and Itron Collaborate on Smart Metering Communications

Demand response king Comverge and smart meter maker Itron announced they have successfully integrated two of their leading products. Combining Comverge’s Web-based demand management platform Apollo and Itron’s OpenWay metering solution enables real-time, two-way, interactive communication between a utility and its customers. The integrated system uses the ZigBee Smart Energy Profile within the home area network (HAN), eliminating the need for broadband communication with the utility. Comverge and Itron claim that the integration will help utilities expand programs for energy efficiency and demand response.

   Quick Take:  Itron needed this. We have been reading a number of negative comments from Wall Street analysts, and Itron partnering is smart.

   Press release

Smart Grid News Publisher Unveils SmartGridStimulus.com

Global Smart Energy, the company that publishes SmartGridNews.com, has launched a new site covering the impact of the ARRA on the Smart Grid. Smartgridstimulus.com will cover all things stimulus —including toolkits, policy updates, RFP’s, Department of Energy guidance, awards, and discussion threads where teams can find each other. “With the allocation of many billions of dollars of stimulus funding to the Smart Grid, and the upcoming Department of Energy Funding Opportunity Announcements, readers need even more specialized content to help them find funding, projects and partners,” said Founding Editor Jesse Berst.

   Smart Grid Stimulus home page

   Press release

eMeter Announces New Home Energy Management Tool

eMeter has announced Energy Engage, a Web portal for home energy management, that it hopes will convince users to make changes to reduce their power consumption. Chosen for a pilot study by PowerCentsDC, a public-private partnership backed by Pepco and Washington, D.C., regulators, Energy Engage hopes to surmount the challenge of changing customer behavior by providing a variety of tools such as text and email alerts, expert advice, and community pressure in the form of views about how energy consumption compares to others in the neighborhood. Like competitors Google Power Meter and GreenBox, Energy Engage is an online service that is free to customers and offers “detailed yet digestible” information on energy use. But it tries to go them one better by incorporating Web 2.0 technology and behavioral science.

   Quick Take: Just another reminder about how this is just about “data”’ The next question is: Who will convert this data to actionable knowledge?

   eMeter home page

   Press release

SMUD Chooses Silver Spring for Smart Grid Project

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has chosen Silver Spring Networks to assist in its “Smart Capital” program, which will bring Smart Grid advantages to some 600,000 homes and businesses in California’s Sacramento county. The program includes distribution automation, home area networking, and tools and information to help customers manage their energy use. In addition, it will provide the utility greater information about its service area, which is expected to improve efficiency and reliability.  Silver Spring’s role will be to provide wireless network communications, software, and service. Deployment is expected to begin next month and to be completed by March, 2011.

   Silver Spring Networks press release