Smart Grid Blog

The ConnectPort X2 for Smart Energy gateway that connects ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a home area network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband has been introduced by Digi International.

It is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with smart meter deployments. When a smart meter is present the gateway can make meter information immediately available to any energy management application. As part of iDigi Energy,  energy service providers can use the ConnectPort X2 for Smart Energy and iDigi platform to easily integrate thermostats, smart meters, in-home displays, load controllers and other ZigBee Smart Energy devices into complete energy management systems.

via www.metering.com | ZigBee Smart Energy gateway introduced.

Control4, a provider of IP-based home control systems, said that the Control4 Energy Management System 100 (EMS 100) has received a 2009 SmartGrid.TMCnet.com Product of the Year Award from Technology Marketing Corp. (TMC) and Intelligent Communications Partners.

According to Company officials, the Control4 EMS 100 is a platform that is designed to enable consumers and utilities to better manage energy use and costs.

via Control4 Energy Systems Wins 2009 SmartGrid.TMCnet.com Product of the Year Award | TradingMarkets.com.

Sustainability and energy management are more than green issues driven by social responsibility. They are becoming economic imperatives in industry and manufacturing. “Smart grid” can help achieve both objectives.

Manufacturing is trying to recover from one of the deepest downturns in recent history. Consumer spending is down, manufacturing plants have closed, and personnel reductions are widespread. Companies are in survival mode and struggling to control expenses. Many are relocating operations to lower cost regions, all the while slashing capital budgets. This is not a time of prosperity for manufacturing and service industries as our economy undergoes major changes. While signs of life conjure up optimism, it is clearly a time for retrenchment.

via ISA | Cover Story: Smart grid, a value proposition for industry.

Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII) today introduced the ConnectPort(R) X2 for Smart Energy gateway. It is a ZigBee Smart Energy certified gateway that easily connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a Home Area Network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. It is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with Smart Meter deployments. When a Smart Meter is present the gateway can make meter information immediately available to any energy management application. As part of iDigi(TM) Energy, energy service providers can use the ConnectPort X2 for Smart Energy and iDigi platform to easily integrate thermostats, smart meters, in-home displays, load controllers and other ZigBee Smart Energy devices into complete energy management systems.

via Digi Introduces An Industry First Smart Energy Gateway — MINNETONKA, Minn., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-Asia/ –.

GE is introducing an energy information panel for the home that will grant consumers insight into how they are using energy and the control needed to properly manage energy consumption.  The multi-function unit is designed for the home consumer.

via GE to introduce smart energy interface.

National Grid has proposed a new “smart grid” project to test new technologies that would allow people to more smartly manage their electricity usage.

The project will be located in Syracuse and impact 39,000 customers there.

via National Grid proposes new smart grid project only in Syracuse – The Buzz: Business news – Capital Region business, industry news – timesunion.com – Albany NY.

The energy sector has a new fashion trend. The iPhone App. The German company eQ-3 has written a program window, radiator, light switches and dozens of other things in the budget controlled by finger. The U.S. start-up Control4 provides a home management system that automatically dims the light and Filmegucken PC and TV turns off, as long as the kids homework – even this program can do recently iPhone and iPod Touch control.

And not enough. Similar products offer the company Ecobee, Lutron and Tendril. The company Visible Energy drives the business principle to the extreme – it has now been a published app, although the associated energy management system until Next year will be in stores.

via Switching the heating off with a mobile phone | Fortune 500 Global.

Panasonic Europe is to collaborate with SEAS-NVE, Denmark’s largest consumer-owned energy company, to pilot a smart energy management system that it claims “will pave the way for the eco-homes of the future in Europe”. The system combines Panasonic’s Lifinity Home Energy Management System (HEMS) and SEAS-NVE’s Smart Grid, to intelligently manage the energy consumption of domestic appliances, lighting and heating.

via Renewable Energy Magazine: Latest news – your source for renewable energy news– solar, wind, biomass, biofuel, hydro, CO2, solar thermal, hydro power, climate change, carbon trading...

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, a southeast Texas utility that provides service to 14 counties in the state, is one step closer to a full smart grid deployment thanks to a recent Proof of Concept from Siemens IT Solutions and Services, Inc.

Siemens demonstrated for Bluebonnet how smart meters could be fully integrated into the utility’s operations and showed that the tech-giant’s smart meter Integration and Enablement (SMIE) solution can successfully harness information in real time to allow for much better management of the power system.

via Siemens showing off its SmartMeters Tech in Texas.

Fraunhofer IWES (Germany) presents the OGEMA Alliance, which will offer an open software platform for energy management.

More than 40% of the final energy consumption in Germany is related to buildings. Heating, cooling, domestic hot water supply and the operation of electrical appliances are the areas with the highest demand – electric vehicles are expected to become increasingly important in this context. The Open Gateway Energy Management Alliance (OGEMA) provides an open software platform for energy management which links the customer’s loads and generators to the control stations of the power supply system and includes a customer display for user-interaction.

via Launch of first operating system for smart grid home automation.

Amid historic volatility in energy prices and heightened concern about energy security and climate change, energy management and energy efficiency are hot topics. Tens of millions of smart electric meters are slated for deployment in the next few years. And billions of dollars of funds from the U.S. government are flowing to support smart grid investments and energy efficiency initiatives.

via Market Drivers for Home Energy Management | Press Releases @ Your Story.

Amid historic volatility in energy prices and heightened concern about energy security and climate change, energy management and energy efficiency are hot topics. Tens of millions of smart electric meters are slated for deployment in the next few years, in addition to a broad array of other smart grid enhancements. And consumer interest in energy issues is higher than it has been in decades. According to a new report from Pike Research, this groundswell from consumers, together with a strong push from electric utilities, will create a substantial market for home energy management systems and energy information displays (EIDs), which the firm forecasts will include 28.1 million users worldwide by 2015.

via Home Energy Management Users Will Reach 28 Million by 2015, According to Pike Research.

The IT leaders have re-entered your home and business in a whole new way. Companies like Google and Cisco are providing the tools to help consumers and businesses monitor and manage their energy use to reduce carbon emissions.

So, how did this trend come about? And what does it mean for energy consumption in the U.S. and throughout the world?

The IT sector and energy management

via Why Google and Cisco Will Soon Manage All Your Energy Use.

Gov. Joe Manchin on Thursday visited an innovative “smart grid” initiative in Morgantown that demonstrates technologies to support electricity reliability and energy efficiency.

The Research Ridge Test Facility, developed by electricity provider Allegheny Energy and technology company Augusta Systems, demonstrates a broad array of smart grid technologies that enable improved customer energy management and advanced electricity distribution system management.

“Smart grid is a hot topic at the national level as utilities attempt to modernize their electricity delivery systems,” said Gov. Manchin. “The Research Ridge Test Facility is a great example of how smart grid innovation is occurring in West Virginia. This project demonstrates how smart grid can benefit customers in our state and throughout the nation with improved electricity delivery and cost-effective management of energy usage.”

via Governor Touts West Virginia’s Smart Grid Opportunities.

Pacific Controls Systems LLC, the leading global automation Company, has announced the launch of a range of Smart Energy Meters. With the Pacific Controls smart metering technology, Home & Building owners will be able to monitor how much energy individual devices use. The newly launched device range is part of Pacific Control’s offerings in its Green Home, Green Building Automation and Smart Grid segments of the market.

Commenting on the launch of Smart Energy Meters, Mr. Dilip Rahulan, Chairman and CEO, Pacific Controls Systems LLC, said: We are committed to delivering cost effective energy services products and solutions globally, “Our range of Smart Energy Meters will help users to optimize their energy usage while minimizing wastage and, importantly, reducing consumption levels. Our energy management tools will help Home & Building owners to create energy management profiles that are triggered by certain established consumption rates. As energy consumption exceeds a specific point, the system can automatically begin turning off low priority lighting, heating and cooling zones. Pacific Controls’ real time energy usage indices will help consumers to understand their habits and help become more efficient with their energy consumption needs.”

via Pacific Controls Launches Smart Energy Meters.