Home energy management systems and smart thermostats feature a lot of programmable settings that allow users and their utilities to maximize energy savings. Usually these are based on a consumer’s schedule or times of peak energy demand for the utility; but what if a thermostat could pre-program itself based on weather forecasts to optimize both Continue reading →
consumer
Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC), a nonprofit specializing in research and education on smart grid consumer engagement, announced that the second wave of findings from its Smart Grid Consumer Pulse research study will be released at the SGCC Consumer Symposium to be held January 23, 2012 at DistribuTECH in San Antonio. The findings, developed through Continue reading →
Government and Smart Grid industry leaders from both India and the U.S. will gather at GridWeek Asia Jan. 16-18, 2012 in Mumbai, India to cover topics ranging from standards and interoperability to smart meters and consumer engagement in a content-rich agenda featuring keynote addresses, roundtable discussions, and breakout sessions. via International Smart Grid Leaders Gather Continue reading →
It seems there’s a new story every week on consumer concerns about AMI programs, like this recent AP story. And with every negative story about AMI, the general public’s perception of the smart grid as a whole—which continue to be closely linked to AMI—gets worse. There’s a simple solution to this problem. Just get rid Continue reading →
We are currently at a critical stage of planning for the rollout of smart meter technology but so much of the recent discussions I have seen focus on the logistics of installation and which equipment is the most suitable. Without customer buy-in this will never work, so surely a more appropriate conversation would be the Continue reading →
A report sponsored by Atlanta-based Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) has found that utilities are improving customer understanding of the near-term benefits of smart grid programs by upgrading their communications, service response, incentive programs, and internal consumer engagement processes. via Smarter Utility – Study Finds Higher US Consumer Receptivity to Smart Grid.
The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) released on Monday its report titled “Excellence in Consumer Engagement,” based on the analysis of efforts by U.S. organizations and utilities with consumer-facing smart grid programs. As a communicator, I found myself constantly nodding my head in agreement with what I considered to be a recurring theme within the Continue reading →
We hear a lot about the upcoming democratization of energy. But with the average consumer thinking about energy only six minutes per year, it’s fair to wonder if anyone will show up to ‘vote.’ But this week an alliance that includes the intriguing combination of Opower and Facebook offers promise that this futuristic concept may not be Continue reading →
Are electricity retailers finally offering nifty products to differentiate themselves? Electricity retailer TXU Energy introduced an iPhone app on Wednesday that allows customers to track their electricity usage and how high their monthly light bill is rising as the month progresses. via TXU offers customers their meter information in an app | Texas Energy and Continue reading →
Pecan Street Inc., a smart grid and clean energy research and development organization, says it has selected companies that will join it in creating a consumer-focused smart grid built around home applications and consumer electronics. The companies – Best Buy, Check-It, Chevrolet, Freescale, Intel, Landis+Gyr, Sony, SunEdison and Whirlpool – will test consumer products on Continue reading →
Westar Energy launched the SmartStar Lawerence website for monitoring energy consumption and enabling customers to access the information collected by their smart meter. In an interview at the Journal-World News Center, Hal Jensen, director of SmartStar programs, talked about the new smart meters to be deployed at residential homes and their capabilities. Once the meter Continue reading →
When the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) formed earlier this year it understood there was a lack of smart-grid awareness among consumers — survey after survey showed that. What the SGCC didn’t know, apparently, was how to attack the problem. Six months into its existence, the industry group is now launching a study intended to help Continue reading →
‘Smart grid’ is a term with as much buzz as any I’ve heard lately. It’s mentioned in conversations about climate change, renewable energy and new types of energy storage. It seems that just saying “smart grid” several times in a conversation makes people think you’re smarter. But with all the buzz and money being spent Continue reading →
The blogosphere and media channels have recently been full of news about the Maryland PSC’s decision to reject a Smart Grid program proposed by Baltimore Gas & Electric, even though this plan had already received ARRA stimulus funding and the utility claimed that failure to approve the plan by July 30 would cause those stimulus Continue reading →
The Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative gained nine new members since its launch just three months ago. These new members embody one of SGCC’s key principles — to create a neutral and objective forum where all stakeholders can work together toward a modernized electric power system that is consumer safe and consumer friendly. via Smart Grid Continue reading →
Smart Grid is coming to Naperville, but not everyone is happy. “This has been a very long-term plan and it’s always been coming,” said Nadja Lalvani, community relations manager for the city. If you’re at all apprehensive about the upgrade to the city’s electric utility, the cost, or possible privacy issues, city staff would like Continue reading →
Atlanta has launched tourist centers to commemorate fish, soda pop, civil rights, patriotism, a President and the Civil War. But electrons? People behind the $15 million GE Smart Grid Technology Center of Excellence in Cobb County believe the so-called customer experience showcase to open on the ground floor of the center in October will be Continue reading →
The energy world is about to turn upside down. With the coming of smart grid, the electricity consumer becomes the electricity seller; the passive home appliance becomes the active energy manager; the grid repairman becomes the grid itself. Such an upheaval means that the energy world needs to start thinking about a new business model, Continue reading →
“Smart Grid” may be a common enough term to folks in cleantech, but most people don’t know anything about it beyond notice that their utility is replacing their old dusty meters with digital smart meters. The lack of market education has led to backlashes and dead ends. But now a group of companies and organizations Continue reading →
With many companies looking to play a role in implementing smart grid technology, Brooklyn, New York’s EnergyHub and Con Edison announced a deal today that would employ EnergyHub’s software and consumer energy solutions in New York City. Starting with 100 homes in Long Island City, Queens, EnergyHub will deploy its touchscreen dashboard, sockets, and strips Continue reading →
