I believe the future of technology will be driven by market transitions, or industry inflection points. Emerging societal, environmental and operational goals will drive initiatives for greater customer participation with energy providers, modernization of the energy infrastructure, and the smooth transition of an aging workforce. Supporting these initiatives will require increased integration of disparate business systems Continue reading →
A new report from Frost & Sullivan identifies the fastest-growing sectors within the European smart grid market: advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), integration of distributed generation, sensors and advanced transmission technologies, and electric vehicles. Frost & Sullivan energy and power supplies research manager Malavika Tohani says, “The success of the smart meter rollout in Europe is Continue reading →
The market for security systems aimed at “smart grid” industrial control systems will climb to $369 million (£229m) this year and will nearly double to $608 million by 2020, according to a new report from Pike Research. Smart grids, which aim to make the distribution of energy more efficient through the integration of information and Continue reading →
The Northwest is undertaking a grand project that could unlock a future of efficient energy use and smooth integration of renewables—two necessary pieces of a solution to the immense challenge of climate change. The beating heart of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, one of the largest in the world, is an incentive signal to utilities about the Continue reading →
Smart grid technology investment has given rise to the need for true system engineering skills similar to those fostered by U.S. investment in the space program. The investment being made in intelligent infrastructure should be the nation’s man on the moon for the next decade. A system engineering approach to the smart grid, along with Continue reading →
General Motors recently set the bold target of 500,000 electrified vehicles sold annually by 2017, and is now turning to the promise of smartphone apps to reach the finish line. Three new OnStar apps were recently previewed at the GM Electrification Experience to help extend the range of GM-brand electric vehicles and make charging more Continue reading →
Two new surveys gauge smart grid executives’ outlook on automated metering infrastructure (AMI), specifically smart meters and their integration with distribution automation (DA). The surveys, sponsored by Elster and conducted by Zpryme, polled middle- to upper-management executives from various players in the smart grid industry, including technology vendors, manufacturers, utilities and consultants, among others. via Continue reading →
The University of Waterloo, located in Ontario, and Cisco have announced an agreement to establish a Cisco Systems Research Chair in Smart Grid, which will promote, support, and lead research, development and innovation within the use of technologies and solutions for smart power grids. Cisco is providing $1 million over the next five years to Continue reading →
A smart-grid demonstration project announced this week in Switzerland will test how companies can manage industrial power demand to optimize their use of renewable energy. The test involves three massive freezer warehouses owned by Migros, the country’s largest retailer and supermarket chain. The buildings, which cover an area roughly equivalent to 30 football fields, are maintained Continue reading →
Itron Inc. ( ITRI ) has introduced a simplified smart grid ecosystem approach, Nexergy, in Europe. Nexergy coupled with meters, communication technology and software will address any specific business needs. It empowers utilities with technologies that are faster and cost effective. Nexergy is a collection of five distinct ecosystem architectures – Nexergy P2P, Nexergy PLC, Continue reading →
There’s a big push in the smart grid industry to find ways to make sense of the flood of data coming from smart meters, grid sensors and other devices. One big question in tackling this challenge is whether it’s better to collect and analyze that data via a centralized system, or to build at least Continue reading →
Empowered energy consumers. Renewable integration. Greater energy reliability. These Smart Grid value propositions are achieved with the right combination of technology, leadership and policy, which will be addressed at GridWeek, Oct. 2-4, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Next week, 100+ speakers will explore how to achieve Smart Grid value – for consumers, utilities, and the environment Continue reading →
Cisco and Elster announced today that Elster will offer smart grid solutions for field area networks using Cisco’s technology. The solutions will integrate the Cisco Connected Grid Endpoint reference design with Elster’s EnergyAxis System, and will showcase the power and flexibility of Elster’s Universal technology while demonstrating support for Cisco’s expertise in standards-based and interoperable Continue reading →
International research firm Parks Associates today announced the dates and topics for the fourth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer. The executive conference, hosted February 25-27, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas, with support from early sponsors EcoFactor, Hitachi, and Qualcomm, examines the convergence of energy, security, and home controls as multiple channels are now competing Continue reading →
While all of NREL’s distributed grid integration research relates to the Smart Grid, NREL specifically conducts research on Smart Grid technologies, develops Smart Grid standards, and maintains a database of Smart Grid projects. via NREL: Distributed Grid Integration – Smart Grid Research.
Last month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) green-lighted National Grid’s proposed smart grid pilot in Worcester, Mass. The two-year project, estimated to cost around $44 million, aims to install Itron smart meters for approximately 15,000 of the utility’s customers in the region. In addition, the pilot will explore electric vehicle charging, dynamic pricing Continue reading →
Excergy Corporation, the emerging leader for consulting and systems integration to the utility and government sectors, announced today that the company was selected by the City of Fort Collins Utilities to provide program management and technical consulting to complete its Advanced Meter Fort Collins project and prepare the city for the next generation of smart Continue reading →
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today introduced a new line of analog front ends (AFEs) for power monitoring and control of smart e-meters. The new ADS131E08 family is available with 8, 6 or 4 channels and in 16- or 24-bit resolution. The devices offer high integration and performance, along with the industry’s lowest power Continue reading →
The rollout of smart meters, devices that can record and send reams of information on real-time electricity usage, has been anything but smooth. Customers have complained about inaccurate readings, being promised savings that never materialize, possible health hazards and threats to their privacy. But utilities have soldiered on. They continue to install millions of the Continue reading →
Alstom Grid and the teams of the French state-owned research entity CEA – INES (Institut national de l’énergie solaire) announce the creation of a joint Research and Development Center in Chambery (France). This joint laboratory will focus on developing advanced energy storage solutions and integrating renewable energy farms into smart transmission and distribution grids. This Continue reading →
