Smart Grid & Savvy Meters
Imagine if your washing machine is smart enough to switch off at peak demand and switches on at a time when the energy rates are low; you could be saving quite a sum every month on your energy bill.
Well, it looks like it could become true.
GE announced it was introducing a new energy information panel in partnership with OpenPeak, an expert in communications technology. The new device is able to wirelessly communicate with smart meters, smart appliances, and other ZigBee or Wi-Fi enabled devices. The smart panel keeps the energy consumer informed about fluctuating energy prices throughout the day so adjustments can be made accordingly.
The smart grid and smart appliances are the next big opportunity in energy savings,” said Marc Bitzer, president of Whirlpool North America. The Chinese government was announced as the world’s largest provider of smart grid stimulus funding. This year China is leading the way with $7.3 billion.
More: http://bit.ly/dcBjAT
posted by powerplantccs at
8:56 PM
4 Comments:
Some excerpts from the commentary,of West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin where he explains why upgrading the nation’s electricity grid is a national problem that will be solved on a state-by-state basis
Federal stimulus funding has made Smart Grid a hot topic lately. Despite the calls for a national Smart Grid, the reality of Smart Grid deployments is that they will be made on a state-by-state, project-by-project basis. The deployments will be dictated by state laws involving energy efficiency, conservation, demand management, metering, and other issues.
The journey of the Smart Grid from concept to reality will end in the state capitals. If the right choices are made by policymakers, regulators, customers and electricity providers, this end will bring about the beginning of a modern, smarter grid, better suited to the challenges of today’s economy.
This is why, in West Virginia, we developed a West Virginia Smart Grid Implementation Plan, the first statewide Smart Grid plan in the nation.
In West Virginia, we are moving forward simultaneously on a few issues. For example, recently passed alternative and renewable portfolio standards require 25 percent of the electricity sold to retail customers to be generated from alternative and renewable energy sources by 2025. Importantly, this includes provisions for Smart Grid technology deployments. Linked to the portfolio standards, the bill creates a trading system for alternative and renewable resource credits, energy efficiency and demand management credits, and greenhouse gas emission reduction or offset credits, which will promote green energy and Smart Grid projects. Addressing energy, environmental and economic issues in an integrated fashion like this is crucial to ensuring successful Smart Grid deployments.
His comments on Savvy Meters
Another crucial activity is support for both existing and future deployments. Right now, West Virginia is home to a few innovative technology projects that have been well received by state and federal officials. In the northern part of the state, Allegheny Power has been working with technology provider Augusta Systems on a number of Smart Grid projects that involve the use of an integrated, intelligent communications and control network, featuring smart meters, line and substation monitors, automation equipment, distributed resources, customer appliances, and more. In the southern part of the state, Appalachian Power has been exploring the use of advanced storage devices to assist during peak demand periods.
His views on Smart Grid and Job Potential
From an employment perspective, these current and emerging projects create opportunities for green collar jobs for engineers, technicians, installers, and other personnel.
The Key to make it a reality
Neither the federal government nor electricity providers can make electricity grids smarter overnight. It is up to the states to ensure that the transition to a smarter grid is as efficient and effective as possible.
I would like to point out that key inputs and key funding for the West Virginia Smart Grid Implementation Plan came from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) lead by Dr. Carl Bauer and the primary technical services contractor at NETL, Research and Development Solutions LLC. Without the efforts of NETL and RDS LLC, this project would not have been successful for West Virginia. Many thanks to Steve Bossart and Maria Hanley of NETL and Roger Roskin, Craig Rizzo, Dirk Baker, and Cheryl Lyons of RDS.Steve Pullins
I would like to point out that key inputs and key funding for the West Virginia Smart Grid Implementation Plan came from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) lead by Dr. Carl Bauer and the primary technical services contractor at NETL, Research and Development Solutions LLC. Without the efforts of NETL and RDS LLC, this project would not have been successful for West Virginia. Many thanks to Steve Bossart and Maria Hanley of NETL and Roger Roskin, Craig Rizzo, Dirk Baker, and Cheryl Lyons of RDS.Steve Pullins
" West Virginia is one of the most underrated states in the US, and although some of its resources, especially coal, are under pressure now, it is rich in the determination of its people to keep building new ideas in the energy industry. I hope Governor Manchin continues to drive forward to harvest the many strengths of his state." Ken Van Meter
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