It’s been a while since I’ve written much of anything smart grid related that didn’t directly deal with the successful Smart Grid Summit held in conjunction with TMC’s (News – Alert) ITEXPO East last week in Miami.
But, when I came across news that Nanomarkets reported that the stall behind the continual evolution of the smart grids market is in fact the U.S. government and its policies and regulations, I wanted to briefly discuss its effect on the space.
via Smart Grid.
It’s the night before Christmas in the energy sector, with the Energy Dept. expected to announce $4.5 billion in federal stimulus awards soon for projects aimed at ushering in the smart grid. The aim of the money is a far-reaching upgrade of the system that distributes energy to homes and businesses across the U.S., adding two-way communications and control technologies throughout the newly networked grid.
The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association says state regulators should require utilities to consider “smart-grid” technology any time utilities replace or upgrade equipment.
The state’s two major utilities — Duke Energy Carolinas and Progress Energy — say new regulations are unnecessary. The Public Staff of the N.C. Utilities Commission, charged with protecting the public’s interest in utility matters, agrees.
The industry organization does not. It says North Carolina has no way to make sure its utilities review available smart-grid options when they expand or repair infrastructure.
Federal act
All four groups filed briefs or proposed orders last week as the N.C. Utilities Commission wraps up its current review of the issue.
The commission is considering whether it needs new regulations to conform to the federal Energy Independence and Security Act. Part of that law calls on state regulators to consider possible rules to encourage better resource planning, design rates to support energy efficiency and promote adoption of smart grid technology.
Duke, Progress and the Public Staff say the commission and state law already address those issues. NCSEA notes that on some questions — such as rates to encourage efficiency — it would like to see more done. But it agrees the state and regulators have addressed the first two issues.
via Charlotte Business Journal: Advocates want pro “smart grid” rules.
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