Smart Grid Blog

As we are all aware, China is growing into a superpower nation and while they have the ability to produce or import energy, they are initiating the huge deployment of the smart grid, not for ecological reasons, but for two key benefits; health and scarcity of resources. According to a recent In-Stat report, China is Continue reading →

Elster (NYSE: ELT) announced today that Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) has chosen EnergyAxis as its multi-utility Smart Grid solution.  Partially funded by a United States Department of Energy Smart Grid Investment Grant, the $11.6 million deployment will provide energy-saving benefits to LUS customers. via Lafayette Utilities System Selects Elster for Smart Grid Electric and Water Continue reading →

Denton Municipal Electric (DME) has selected Trilliant will provide the communication network solution for a Texas Smart Grid deployment. Trilliant’s smart grid solution is comprised of a multi-tier architecture based on broadband wireless technology. On the heels of a successful pilot program, DME is going forward to replace their existing AMR system. via Trilliant Chosen Continue reading →

Freescale Semiconductor demonstrated a Home Energy Gateway (HEG) reference platform at the Metering Europe conference. The HEG reference platform, which will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010, will enable fast development and time to market for a variety of value-added services around the deployment of the smart grid in countries around the world. Continue reading →

Global Information Inc would like to present a new market research report, “Microgrid Markets and Opportunities” by NanoMarkets. Microgrids represent an emerging sector in the Smart Grid market. NanoMarkets believes that the microgrids sectors will “exhibit significant growth over the next decades; there are already many applications where a compelling case can be made for Continue reading →

Texas-New Mexico Power selected SmartSynch’s Residential Smart Meter solution for a 231,000 unit point-to-point deployment to residential customers throughout the utility’s Texas market. This will mark the first mass residential deployment of smart metering solutions that use a public wireless network as the communications backbone. Such networks allow the utility to bring efficient, secure smart Continue reading →

General Electric researchers are working with Arizona Public Service to determine the best way to integrate large amounts of solar power into the current grid, funded by a $3.3 million High Penetration Solar Deployment grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The team will identify systems and technologies that optimize grid reliability and efficiency with Continue reading →

Tantalus Systems is a Canadian smart grid company I’ve been meaning to write about for some time. The company caught my eye recently with a series of industry awards, especially the one from PowerGrid International magazine, which was presented at Distributech, the industry’s leading T&D event. This award was for Tantalus’ smart meter deployment with Continue reading →

Google is no stranger to renewable energy. The search giant has previously invested in enhanced geothermal technology, smart grid ventures, electric cars, and wind power startups. But those investments all came from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the company. Now, for the first time, Google Inc. has invested in renewable power as a way to Continue reading →

Another Texas lawmaker has sent a letter to the state’s Public Utility Commission asking it to suspend deployment of the so-called smart meters until an independent test into their accuracy is complete in June. The latest letter, written by State Rep. Robert Miklos, is the third asking for a meter moratorium. He said his office Continue reading →

State Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway sent a letter to the Texas Public Utility Commission Wednesday asking it to suspend deployment of  “smart”  meters until a state investigation into their accuracy is completed. Hundreds of people have complained across North Texas and in the Houston area alleging abnormally high electricity bills are the result their new Continue reading →

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has approved a petition by the Duquesne Light begin deploying smart meters by late 2012. A state law, Act 129, passed in 2008 mandates that Pennsylvania’s electric utilities reduce consumers’ yearly power use by one percent as of mid-2011, and three percent by mid-2013. Acts 129 also calls for power Continue reading →

Exelon’s (EXC) PECO subsidiary in Pennsylvania has selected Comverge’s (COMV) Apollo Demand Response Management System to meet energy efficiency targets required by Pennsylvania Act 129.  For the next 3 years Comverge will provide full turnkey services including call center services and includes the installation of nearly 150K energy management devices.  This will be largest demand Continue reading →

Itron Inc. (ITRI 73.24, +0.54, +0.75%) and Tropos Networks announced today an agreement to jointly develop products for the utility market including an integrated network solution. The joint solution will allow utilities to extend their smart grid foundation into a comprehensive, privately owned broadband network for utility applications. This aligns with the larger goal of Continue reading →

As utilities work to implement a smart grid, one of the biggest challenges they must address is the development and deployment of a reliable communication systems capable of handling multiple applications, each having diverse requirements. S&C Electric Company, a Smart Grid leader shaping the future of reliable electrical delivery, recognized this need and today announced Continue reading →

Brightly colored and clear as day, a recently released road map for South Korea’s smart grid sends an unmistakable message: We’re ready — are you? The country’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy’s two-page report hits all the high points (and garners plenty of style points) in its plan for smart grid deployment through 2030, with hard Continue reading →

Regulators and utilities in North Carolina agree that more information needs to be shared about smart-grid deployment in the state, but they’re not yet synced on what information that should be. The North Carolina Utilities Commission has proposed that each utility file a “smart grid technology plan” as part of its biennial resource plans. Two Continue reading →

IQPC’s Smart Metering Networking Implementation Summit will provide you with the opportunity to exchange strategies and best practices for implementing a more stable grid. Discussions on the program will cover tackling the complexity of full scale smart metering deployment, building effective and efficient pricing strategies, maximizing the reliability and scalability of smart meters and how Continue reading →

Electrical service provider Dominion Virginia Power has moved to delay full deployment of its smart-meter program, so the firm can expand ongoing testing. The smart meter has been tested in parts of Virginia by the power provider with over 50,000 units installed in central parts of the state. The firm now wants an additional 30,000 Continue reading →

GTM Research, the market research arm of Greentech Media, today announced the availability of The 2010 North American Utility Smart Grid Deployment Survey, a comprehensive analysis of the trends emerging as utilities across the continent roll out smarter grids. The report is available individually or as part of a newly launched smart grid research annual Continue reading →