The utility industry gets much attention about sector-wide disruptions triggered by new Smart Grid regulatory policy, technology, and financial drivers on the path to grid modernization. But the insurance sector is also facing real challenges on two fronts – dealing with the downsides of climate change; and building tools, models, and knowledge to properly insure Continue reading →
A national electricity reliability organization is forecasting electricity supply challenges in Texas and southern California this summer but says the Midwest region should continue to have more than enough power to meet its needs. via Midwest should have ample electricity for hottest summer days | Demand Response | End-Use | Energy Central.
Microsoft and its partners spend a great deal of time and resources thinking of ways to use technology to make it easier and more cost-effective for utilities to meet ever-increasing power demands. To that end, Microsoft just published SERA v2.0, or the Smart Energy Reference Architecture – an in-depth exploration of the challenges utilities face Continue reading →
New Zealand faces unique energy challenges due to its two-island geographic structure and reliance on renewables to supply electricity. The electricity system in Zealand is based on run-of-the-river hydro plants in the North and South Islands, which complement geothermal and wind generation. via Why Demand Response is Right for New Zealand.
As the saying goes, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” While it may be clichéd, I think the expression is right on the money when it comes to describing the Lone Star State’s current, rather large, energy challenges. But it also characterizes something else: the substantial role demand response can play in solving these issues. Texas Continue reading →
The ICS-ISAC (that’s Industrial Control Systems Information Sharing and Analysis Center if you want it spelled out for you) has a webinar coming up soon if you want a bite-sized dose of control systems security best practice knowledge. As the site says: ICS-ISAC Member Briefing Miki Calero, Chief Security Officer for the City of Columbus Continue reading →
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and City Manager David Cavazos have announced the city has been selected as a finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, a competition created to inspire American cities to generate innovative ideas that solve major challenges and improve city life and ultimately can be shared with other American cities. via Phoenix Continue reading →
January 9, 2013 (CHICAGO) — Solar power is the fastest-growing electricity source for utilities, according to a recent survey by the Solar Electric Power Association. Conservative estimates see the number of smaller, distributed solar interconnections growing to over 150,000 by 2015. The magnitude of this increase poses significant challenges for utilities, not the least of Continue reading →
Electric cooperative managers are being urged to approach cyber security challenges in the same ways they would prepare for other threats to system reliability—with training, prevention and awareness. via Co-ops Prepare for Cyber Security » Electric Co-op Today.
The IEEE has announced the formation of the IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The newly formed collective will aid in addressing challenges related to the use of IEEE 802 standards in smart grid applications. via IEEE establishes IEEE 802.24 Smart Grid Technical Advisory Group – Lightwave.
As smart grid installations grow increasingly complex, utilities and vendors will need to understand equally complex cyber security techniques in order to stay protected from attacks, which will require intense planning and coordination from the onset, Government Information Security reports. via Understanding the challenges of securing the smart grid.
The devastation left behind Hurricane Sandy poses huge challenges for the state — not the least of which is how best to prevent future storms from leaving 2.7 million customers without power, some thousands of whom still lack electricity or gas on the barrier islands along the coast. via Hurricane Sandy: Wake-Up Call for NJ Continue reading →
The bad news – there are big, big challenges looming for the electric utility industry. The good news – agencies and regulators are increasingly aware of these painful truths and, therefore, increasingly willing to discuss solutions. That was the message from FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff during a briefing on Capitol Hill this week. via Smart Grid: Continue reading →
We’re seeing a blistering pace of new smart grid offerings that tackle everything from switchyard failure prevention to energy storage to “surgical” demand response. In our latest installment of Discovery Showcase we’re featuring eight that we thought you’d want to know about – from Silver Spring Networks, CURRENT, Siemens and others. via Smart Grid: 8 Continue reading →
The annual value of energy storage on the grid (ESG) will pass the $30 billion mark by 2022, according to a new report from Pike Research, Energy Storage on the Grid. The cleantech research firm points to quickly changing energy mixes and more volatile load profiles that grid operators will need to grapple with if Continue reading →
One day, 40 or 50 years from now, California’s power grid simply could be a backup to a distributed system where power is generated all over the place. But not today. Representatives from the advanced power and energy program at University of California Irvine, Southern California Edison, and Cal ISO, which manages California’s electrical grid Continue reading →
In less than two weeks, hundreds of energy-industry thought leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at the sixth annual GridWeek to discuss, debate, and strategize how to achieve Smart Grid value from complexity, Oct. 2-4, 2012. Major drivers, including the falling price of natural gas, the lack of Continue reading →
As the temperatures continue to rise in Southern California, utilities’ concerns are growing as they struggle to deal with demand and lower generation with the San Onofre nuclear facility still offline. The situation is reminiscent of the state’s electricity crisis in in 2000. However, this time more businesses are expected to take part in demand Continue reading →
Utilities are constantly looking to reduce load and understand consumption patterns, and they are increasingly turning to analytics to get the job done. Detailed data analytics can provide critical support to utilities’ missions to develop successful demand response and energy-efficiency programs, according to experts at Oncor. via Analytics helping Oncor meet demand response challenges – Continue reading →
IT would require four planet earths for every member of the world’s population to enjoy a Western lifestyle. Dr Thomas Tang, corporate sustainability director of AECOM Asia said these are the demands on resources and constitute one of the challenges of the future when delivering his paper at the recent Smart Cities Symposium in Kuala Continue reading →
