SmartGridNews.com

Are We Building the Grid @$$ Backwards?

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:08:15 PST

With all the stimulus money (and press) focused on smart meters last year, you might think AMI is the only way to start a Smart Grid initiative. But Jesse Berst points to evidence the tide is turning and that grid applications may prove the quickest way for some utilities to demonstrate benefits. Click for his analysis.

Smart Meter Manufacturers Agree to Develop Communication Standards for the UK

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:05:42 PST

Today Elster, Landis+Gyr and Secure reached an agreement to work together to develop common approaches for the development of smart communication standards necessary for the interoperability of equipment for the UK market.

Nevada and Sicily, Italy Will Use Molten Salt for Solar Energy Storage

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:03:34 PST

Nevada and Sicily, Italy may not have much in common, but both will be firing up solar thermal plants incorporating molten salt to store the solar energy created.

Cisco, Cooper Power Systems, Tropos Networks, Grid Net, and U-SNAP Alliance Join Smart Grid Coalition

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:02:50 PST

The Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition (DRSG) today announced that five new members have joined its effort to educate and provide information to policymakers, utilities, consumers, and other stakeholders. The new members are Cisco, Cooper Power Systems, Tropos Networks, Grid Net, and U-SNAP Alliance.

Renewables and Biofuels Investments Worldwide a Fraction of Fossil Fuel Support

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:59:11 PST

Much has been made of the amounts of money invested worldwide in renewables and biofuels, but the truth of the matter is it's pocket change compared to what's being spent to support fossil fuels, according to new research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

SmartSynch Enters Co-Marketing Agreement With 130-Member Utility Consortium, Central Service Association (CSA), Based in Tupelo, Mississippi

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:58:21 PST

SmartSynch, Inc., a Smart Grid technology company utilizing standard IP communications via cellular networks, has entered into a co-marketing agreement with Central Service Association (CSA), a member-owned utility consortium comprised of 130 members across a nine state region that includes the entire Tennessee Valley Authority service area.

Subsidies for Renewables, Biofuels Dwarfed by Supports for Fossil Fuels

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:55:06 PST

New research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance reveals that despite many platitudes and pledges, governments of the world are spending substantially more on subsidizing dirty forms of energy than on renewables and biofuels. In fact, support for cleaner sources is dwarfed by the help the oil, coal, and other fossil fuel sectors receive.

Press Release: US Energy Secretary Chu to Headline GridWise® Global Forum

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:51:21 PST

The GridWise® Alliance today announced that Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu will join smart grid thought leaders from around the world to examine the progress and promote further development of global smart grids at the inaugural GridWise® Global Forum, September 21-23 in Washington, DC. Secretary Chu recently announced U.S. involvement in helping to launch more than 10 international clean energy initiatives, including the deployment of smart grid.

EPRI: iPod Touch has Potential as Diagnostic Device for Utility Apps

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:24:27 PST

An EPRI evaluation of portable electronic devices (PEDs) such as the iPod Touch or the Android has found that PED technology will present significant opportunities in the handheld meter/diagnostic device arena and will subsequently become a major component of the Smart Grid sensor market where data needs to be streamed, stored and selectively uploaded from a remote location to a centralized location. Click to download the executive summary.

Smart Meter Setback: Hawaii PUC Kicks Back Project, Tells Utility to Try It Again

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:46:31 PST

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission denied a request by the state's largest utility to expand a smart meter test program. This latest bump in the Smart Grid road came when regulators determined that ratepayers, who would foot the bill for the expansion, wouldn't see the benefits.

Press Release: Largest Wind Project of Any Manufacturer in U.S. Gets Green Light

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:22:49 PST

The largest wind project of any manufacturing company in the United States won final approval yesterday and is expected to start construction next month.

Press Release: Lutron Helps the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition Raise Awareness of Electricity System and Usage

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:19:50 PST

Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., is pleased to announce its association with The Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition (DRSG) to develop compatible products and help raise awareness of how lighting demand response activities can easily stabilize the grid. The DRSG communicates the opportunities in building the Smart Grid infrastructure and practices that will update the national electricity system and change the way customers best use electricity.

Press Release: Schneider Electric Announces Plans for Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:15:50 PST

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced plans for delivering a comprehensive portfolio of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Schneider Electric will offer a complete spectrum of EV charging infrastructure, smart-grid integration, services and management in one complete solution to help speed adoption of EVs globally. These charging solutions address the needs of all EV stakeholders, including automotive manufacturers, municipalities, utilities, commercial and government entities as well as consumers.

Press Release: Chicagoland Church Has Faith In Wind: First Urban Green Energy Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Installation in Illinois at Valley Baptist Church

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:11:15 PST

Urban Green Energy, the world leader in small vertical axis wind turbines, announces the installation of the first 4kW vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) in Illinois at Valley Baptist Church in Oswego. A different kind of wind turbine, a VAWT’s design generates power regardless of the direction of the wind, making it ideal for a suburban area with variable wind patterns.

Smart Grid Gut Check: How Do Things Feel from Where YOU Sit?

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:44:30 PST

As we march into the second half of 2010, progress on the Smart Grid front is a decidedly mixed bag. Some wins? Yes. Setbacks? Sure. Uncertainty? Oh yeah. So how does it all shake out? That’s where you come in. Click inside and participate in our H2 Smart Grid Gut Check.

Press Release: IBM Provides Smartphone Data Services for Solar-Powered Robot Car Journey From Italy to China

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:46:32 PST

The VisLab Intercontinental Autonomous Challenge (VIAC), an epic 13,000km journey from Parma, Italy to Shanghai, China using unmanned, solar energy powered vehicles, aims to showcase the benefits of green transport. Over the course of the trip, the automated vehicles will use IBM (NYSE: IBM) Human Centric solutions to collect data on CO2 pollutants in the regions covered along the way – Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and China – using the data to assess the health and environmental impact of CO2 in these areas.

Press Release: Sentec breezes into turbine design

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:37:10 PST

Sentec, the smart metering technology specialist and product development company, has collaborated with another Cambridge business, Wind Technologies Ltd, to create a bespoke control system for wind turbines. The first test site is now in-situ in the city.

EPA Webinar Highlights New Renewable Energy Purchasing Program for Major Power Users

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:02:17 PST

The EPA's Green Power Partnership will host a webinar Thursday, July 29, on a new national wind program designed to allow companies that use a large amount of power to buy renewable energy in a financially neutral way.

New Report Cites Top 10 States Driving Smart Grid Deployment

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:57:15 PST

You’d probably expect California and Colorado to make a list of 10 key states driving Smart Grid deployment. Click inside to learn the eight other states cited by GTM Research in its new report on 2010 Smart Grid policy and the states that are leading the way.

Press Release: Windfrastructure Program Makes the Purchase of Renewable Energy Financially Neutral for Large Power Users

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:39:56 PST

National Wind announces today the launch of its patent-pending Windfrastructure Partner Program. Windfrastructure enables large power users to purchase renewable energy in a financially neutral manner.