Smart Grid Blog

Senate Commerce Communications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., expressed “frustration” Tuesday that the Obama administration has not moved fast enough to build out the country’s electricity infrastructure. “I don’t often express frustrations publicly about things on the administration, but this is one … I don’t get it. I don’t understand … why this wasn’t issue almost number one,” Kerry said during a subcommittee hearing. “[If] you want to get the economy moving, you've got to build out America’s grid.”

via Kerry Frustrated By Pace Of Smart Grid – Tech Daily Dose – Tech Daily Dose.

You may already know this, but our power grid system has been largely left alone for half a century. We’re using inefficient grid technology to try to thread power across our country and in the process are losing precious energy and a lot of cash. As part of the infamous American Reinvestment and Recovery Act–or Stimulus–Obama smartly set aside 3.4 billion dollars to invest in smart grid technology in 2010 and beyond. That block of funding was matched by industry money and private investment to total over $8 billion in funding for everything from installation of smart meters to funding for manufacturing processes.

via 8 Billion Dollars in Stimulus Funds to Jump Start “Power Grid 2.0″ in US | Inhabitat.

Pennsylvania is strengthening its position as a leader in solar energy with new investments of more than $5 million in 13 new projects, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

“We have made remarkable progress in making Pennsylvania a leader in renewable energy in a very short period of time,” said Governor Rendell. “We’ve invested nearly $1 billion in projects that put more than 8,300 people to work. And now, with the federal Recovery funds President Obama and Congress wisely dedicated to the renewable sector, we’re able to achieve even more growth.”

via Governor Rendell: New Solar Energy Investments to Help Businesses, Municipalities Conserve Energy, Cut Expenses — HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –.

Whenever we hear the word “nuclear,” we think of a tremendous mushroom cloud in a gloomy sky, followed by images of a desolate, uninhabitable, and barren land. For many of us, “nuclear” translates directly into “nuclear weapons.” We should not, however write off “nuclear” so easily, as the same technology used in such devastating weapons offers much potential for positive growth in the energy sector.

via The Truth About Nukes | The Harvard Crimson.

The Department of Energy is offering $8 billion in loan guarantees to break ground on a new nuclear power plant in Maryland. Will this be the start of a nuclear building boom?

Speaking in Lanham, Maryland, President Obama outlined a simple objective: Jump start nuclear power plant construction in the U.S., which hasn’t built a new plant in three decades.

via Obama’s nuclear power plant push: Is there a building boom ahead? – SmartPlanet.

The United States is in the midst of the largest energy grid modernization in its history. Last June, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, President Obama announced the availability of $3.4 billion in grants to invest in smart grid technologies and the nation’s electric transmission infrastructure. Since then, 100 grant awards have been announced, ranging from $400,000 to $200 million. When combined with matching private investments, more than $8 billion will be spent in the next several years to start modernizing the U.S. energy grid.

via POWERING UP BPL Global Unleashes Smart Energy Grid Management Platform; is positioned for Continued Growth | ETEQ.

Last week, the Obama administration introduced a proposal that every college student in the country should know about. It represents the nation’s first comprehensive federal program for clean energy education, and it is a critical step toward regaining American leadership in one of the most important industries of our time.

via Innovate America: Educating the Energy Generation | Stanford Daily.

Consumers do not know how much energy they have been using until they get the bill that usually surprises them at the end of every month. Although a bit expensive, smart meters can be one of the answers to this problem and to the energy capacity distribution.

via Smart Grid and the Future of Energy Consumption.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has released a list of smart grid stimulus grant awardees covering all major technology sectors related to the smart grid. On October 27, the Obama administration announced a grant of $3.4 billion for the single largest energy grid modernization program in the United States in recent history. This grant, a part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), will be matched by industry funding of $4.7 billion to create a private –public investment of more than $8 m.

via ARRA Stimulus Boosts Growth for US Smart Grid Vendors.

Itron (NASDAQ:ITRI) smart grid solutions have been recognized for their contribution to a robust clean energy economy by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The acknowledgement came as part of President Obama’s announcement to award $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for clean energy manufacturing projects across the United States.

via U.S. Department of Energy Recognizes Itron Smart Grid Solutions for Their Contribution to a Clean Energy Economy | Business Wire.

The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued today an initial list of standards, a preliminary cyber security strategy, and other elements of a framework to support transforming the nation’s aging electric power system into an interoperable Smart Grid, a key component of the Obama administration’s energy plan and its strategy for American innovation.

via NIST Issues First Release of Framework for Smart Grid Interoperability.

What will be the “killer app” of Smart Grid?

Recently, President Obama announced grants of $3.4 billion for Smart Grid development. However, studies make it clear that given the mammoth size of the existing transmission and distribution (T&D) system, the new system will be built on the shoulders of the old. The existing T&D infrastructure will dictate the winners and losers in the Smart Grid space. The past is prologue.

via 5 Lessons for Smart Grid Business Success.

Green continues to be the hot color as we enter another decade, and sustainability efforts are still developing everywhere, particularly in Portland. Electric cars are charging into the auto sector, and more local businesses are offering sustainable products to draw in environmentally conscious consumers. But as the market becomes saturated with all kinds of green services, where else can entrepreneurs look for opportunities? The home or workplace might be a good place to start.

via On The Scene: Gauging the smart-meter trend – Oregon Business.

Although generally left out of stimulus funding, the less glamorous side of cleantech — manufacturing — got its day in the spotlight when the Obama administration announced $2.3 billion in tax credits last week for 183 manufacturing projects in 43 states.

via Smart Grid Manufacturers Struggle for Funding | SolveClimate.com.

Consumer backlash and cost concerns may cause delays in the nationwide rollout of “smart” utility meters at the center of the Obama administration’s $8 billion push to update the U.S. electricity grid.

PG&E, owner of California’s largest utility, halted meter installations in Bakersfield, north of Los Angeles, after hundreds of customers complained that readings weren’t accurate.

via Business & Technology | Customer revolt may threaten rollout of smart grid | Seattle Times Newspaper.