World Leaders Will Hear How Smart Grid Holds Key to Climate Change

An impressive group of big-name utilities and Smart Grid technology companies will take their message to the Copenhagen climate change summit in December. Members of the newly formed Smart Green Grid Initiative (SGGI) want summit participants to understand that Smart Grid solutions will be an essential element of climate change mitigation.

The formation of SGGI and its Copenhagen plans were announced today. The group's advocacy efforts will include educational events and most likely some intense lobbying.

SGGI intends to show government, industry and policy makers how Smart Grid technologies can effectively harness renewable energy, despite its intermittent and variable nature—and how demand response and storage solutions can add value to renewable energy sources.

Participants in the summit will attempt to negotiate a new international climate change treaty, dubbed by many as the possible successor to the expiring Kyoto accord.

"We launch this effort today to try to illustrate the relationship between a Smart Grid with smart products and technologies, and the global effort to mitigate climate change,” said Jeff Noel, corporate VP for communications and public affairs at Whirlpool Corp. "Today, these two areas are for the most part in different silos, and there is not enough awareness or understanding of how important development of the Smart Grid can be to meeting climate change goals. Complementary policies in these areas will benefit consumers, create jobs and reduce environmental impact."

GE Energy's Bob Gilligan, VP for its transmission and distribution business, added, "Smart Grid solutions are often viewed primarily for their efficiency and cost savings, but every kilowatt saved is also a carbon savings. Add the potential of carbon benefits we get through easier integration of more renewable energy, like wind and solar, and the Smart Grid can have a major effect on the carbon impact of our energy infrastructure."

SGGI members are among the top dogs in the utility and Smart Grid technology world. In addition to Whirlpool and GE, other members include National Grid, American Electric Power, Landis + Gyr, Echelon, Tendril, eMeter, Itron, and Google among others.

The SGGI campaign will get support from leading Smart Grid advocates such as the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition and the Demand Response Coordinating Committee. SGGI also will work with the Pew Center for Climate Change.

SGGI isn't waiting until December to begin spreading its message. The group plans several Webinars and a Capitol Hill briefing to kick off its awareness-building effort.

   Quick Take: We’ve talked about the importance of getting everyday folks behind the Smart Grid movement. If it gets tied in their minds to climate change – to more renewables, fewer carbon emissions and electric vehicles so we’re less reliant on foreign oil – then we’ll see a more powerful growth trend.

   SGGI announcement