What exactly is a smart appliance and how big is the commercial opportunity? Cleantech Group’s Stephen Marcus has details.
Most of us have heard the term “smart appliance” thrown around.
And most of us ultimately think of machines such as refrigerators, washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers consuming lower energy than a “non-smart” alternative.
via Sizing the smart appliance opportunity | Cleantech Group.
Recent research by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has shown that many European Member States are on course to achieve their target of 20% renewable energy by 2020, with some even set to exceed the target. This is a fantastic achievement for the EU in terms of tackling climate change and ensuring that renewable energy is a reliable resource for the future.
via Renewable Energy in EMEA: The Critical Role of Smart Grids (Oracle Utilities Blog).
BTi Energy Management announced today that they will be spearheading the commercial and industrial energy management metering and reporting business in North America in a new partnership with Wescon Technology.
The core of the BTi Energy Management offering is a leading edge multi-circuit electric meter with a built in web-server and more standard communication options then you will see anywhere else. The system scales easily from self contained systems on a closed network to nationwide deployments that allow head offices to compare detailed energy usage at all their facilities. Add automated reports sent out via email and the ability to consolidate data from multiple meters scattered all over the country connected by the Internet and you have a very powerful energy management solution.
The OASIS open standards consortium today announced the formation of a new Member Section, OASIS Blue, which will bring together a variety of open standards projects related to energy, intelligent buildings, and natural resources. OASIS Blue will leverage the innovation of existing electronic commerce standards and the power of the Internet to achieve meaningful sustainability. An international effort, OASIS Blue incorporates work that has been identified as a central deliverable for the U.S. government's strategic Smart Grid initiative.
The Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition (DRSG) has announced that Ambient Corporation, Johnson Controls, Lockheed Martin, Boeing (News – Alert), EnergyConnect, CALMAC, and EnOcean Alliance are now members.
The DRSG is the trade association for companies that provide products and services in the areas of demand response, smart meters and smart grid technologies.
via The Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition Adds Seven New Members.
The Department of Energy’s $620 million in awards for smart grids and other energy-related projects should provide the government and industry real insight into how to get the nation’s electrical grid talking.
Wireless technology will be used to help utility grids become smarter as the technology can help better manage in the delivery of electricity in real time in a more efficient manner. But how great a role wireless plays in the evolving smart grid has yet to be determined. The smart grid system is something that will take decades to achieve, but real progress is under way. In order for this vision to develop, billing systems and other items that touch the grid will need to be implemented.
via Smart grid demonstrations aim to validate concept – RCR Wireless News.
Fuel cells, which decades ago powered the moon mission, are quietly making their way into businesses and homes, and some see them as the future of power production.
Instead of burning fuel to make heat that then drives a turbine, fuel cells use an electrochemical reaction similar to that inside a battery to make electricity.
via Fueling the future: Fuel cells show promise – SignOnSanDiego.com.
Toshiba Corp. it will make its full-scale entry into the residential solar photovoltaic systems business in Japan on April 1, with the goal of winning a 10 percent share of the Japan market by fiscal year 2012.
Toshiba's residential solar PV systems comprise PV modules, power conditioners and color LCD that displays the overall system status.
A federal plan to wire the entire United States with high-speed Internet access will be key to creating a nationwide “smart” power grid for reducing wasted electricity, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recently provided a preview of the National Purposes Update, a document that identifies opportunities for broadband deployment to improve health care, education, employment and energy efficiency.
via National Broadband Plan Crucial For ‘Smart’ Power Grids.
Two national laboratories, the state of New Mexico and a Japanese agency are teaming up to develop smart grid technology that would allow homeowners and businesses to take advantage of more renewable energy sources by better controlling the supply and demand of electric power.
On a blustery December afternoon, you'll be able to go online from the office to turn up the thermostat at home from 52 degrees to a toasty 72 degrees.
You’ll have a dishwasher that bargain shops with you, turning on at 2 a.m. when energy costs are the lowest.
You’ll even be able to monitor your electrical bill every day through a digital display and set limits on how much you spend on electricity during a day.
Although we can’t do any of those things now, utility experts expect these scenarios to become a reality in the next generation of utility infrastructure.
via Money saver | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL.
On February 8 IBM announced the debut of its new POWER7 system that will support even the most demanding smart grid applications. With this announcement, IBM set the tone for a month of smart grid breakthroughs. Concerns were raised over the cost of the huge effort and customers in Texas worry that their smart meters are inaccurate.
Google has released an API for its PowerMeter application in a move which the search giant hopes will help to popularise home smart meters.
Late last week, Google announced that it had released the Google PowerMeter API in a blog post. “We’re launching this API in order to help build the ecosystem of innovative developers working towards making energy information more widely available to consumers,” Google stated.
The message in Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign, “It’s the economy, stupid” is a great example of a focused communications strategy. Utilities and vendors of energy solutions and services that require figurative and literal buy-in of ratepayers and consumers need to create focused and layered communications strategies with them in mind. Your success depends on engaging consumers in conversations about the benefits of smart grid technologies – for consumers.
Imagine you left town for a weekend vacation, accidentally leaving the air conditioning set on high. No sweat — you can adjust it with an application on your iPhone.
Or imagine getting to work and realizing you forgot to run the dishwasher. No problem, because another application can start your appliances remotely.
These scenarios may sound far out, but they are almost reality for Maryland residents. Thanks to $10.5 billion in stimulus funds from the federal government, the first stage of “Smart Grid” technology will come to your home as soon as this year.
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