Scotland has added another string to its bow as it seeks to establish itself as a global clean tech hub, cutting the ribbon on a new Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) designed to provide world-leading research and development facilities for the fast-expanding smart grid industry. via Scotland seeks to create smart grid hub with Power Continue reading →
As energy demand grows, the electrical supply industry is seeing rapid development as it evolves to meet new grid requirements. Significant overhaul of grids in both the U.S. and Canada have been reported, with more than 100,000 km of new line expected to be deployed to either replace aging infrastructure or provide added capacity. Total Continue reading →
he Cisco GridBlocks Architecture continues to provide competitive value. Cisco spent a lot of time and money to construct a layered architecture that marries the communications network with the electric power network. Now they are using it not just to help clients but also to underpin their own strategy. (By the way, Microsoft has just updated Continue reading →
The outlook for renewable energy growth and smart grid integration for U.S. utilities this year is strong, expensive, and unpredictable, with a chance of regulatory and business confusion. Black & Veatch released its 2013 Strategic Directions in the U.S. Electric Industry report on Wednesday, summarizing the latest views of some 600 utility and energy industry Continue reading →
For the first time, this year the number of internet-connected devices is predicted to exceed the global population. While that growth is exciting, all of these devices in their many forms come with dramatically greater demands for connectivity and bandwidth – and will generate large amounts of data that require additional storage space and compute Continue reading →
There are many conceptions of what the smart grid is and what it should do for us, the ratepayers who will finance the necessary upgrades to California’s electrical system. I find the concept of a “smart-grid ecosystem” — with smart customers, smart utilities and smart markets — to be a helpful guidepost as we seek Continue reading →
Up to September 2012, a total of 281 smart grid projects and around 90 smart metering pilots and rollouts have been identified across 30 countries in Europe, accounting for total investments respectively of €1.8 billion and at least €5 billion, according to the Joint Research Center’s latest review. Of these smart grid projects around 150 Continue reading →
Cumulative global spending on smart-grid-related analytics will top $20.6 billion between 2012 and 2020, with annual spending reaching $3.8 billion globally in 2020, and utilities deploying these technologies, will achieve a return on investment of more than $121.8 billion globally over the same time period, according to GTM Research. Such analytics are helping utilities strapped Continue reading →
Over the past year, cyber security of the emerging smart grid network has become a top priority for utilities. More than just deployment of point solutions, securing the smart grid must be an end-to-end undertaking that encompasses all facets of IT, OT, ICS, communications and infrastructure. Introducing intelligence and two-way communication into the utility network Continue reading →
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded nearly $200,000 to the University of Wyoming for smart-grid technology training. The department announced the award Wednesday. The funds will be used to develop training that helps students gain a better understanding of the modern electrical system. via Department of Energy gives University of Wyoming $200k for smart-grid technology.
Well into its second decade of existence, the smart grid market strongly demonstrates the correlation between high risk and high reward. Although several segments are well-established, little of this market can be characterized as mature. According to a new white paper from Navigant Research, worldwide smart grid spending will remain robust through the balance of Continue reading →
In a freewheeling chat on the side lines of a conference on Communications and Smart Grids, at the Electrical Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University, Dr Aristides E Kiprakis, Lecturer in Power Systems, Edinburgh University, spoke about the technological possibilities of smart grids, implementation challenges and the way ahead The key element of your lecture today Continue reading →
How many different ways can smart grid technologies positively impact our world? You may be surprised. Scroll down and onto page 2 where we’ve highlighted seven projects with the potential to make a difference in lives, livelihoods and/or the world at large – all in very different ways. via Smart Grid: Smart grid impact: 7 Continue reading →
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans demonstrated for a clean and sustainable environment. In October 1973, Americans experienced the first oil embargo, and for the first time thought about the real costs of our reliance on oil for energy. On the 40th anniversary week of Earth Day, we know how the Smart Grid helps Continue reading →
The U.S. economy is healthier today than it has been in recent years, and it is now time to position the country for prosperity. One of the most promising opportunities we have to further bolster the country’s economic vitality is to push ahead with electric grid modernization investments that bring the smart grid to reality. Continue reading →
Up to September 2012, a total of 281 smart grid projects and around 90 smart metering pilots and rollouts have been identified across 30 countries in Europe, accounting for total investments respectively of €1.8 billion and at least €5 billion, according to the Joint Research Center’s latest review. Of these smart grid projects around 150 Continue reading →
Microgrids have gradually arrived on the scene for the U.S. military. And for various global utilities as a building block for the smart grid. But as the use of microgrids expands into the smart grid, operators should not forget about grid physical and cybersecurity. via Smart Grid: Interested in microgrids? Don’t forget security.
The motivating force behind utility smart grid deployments is changing as the majority of stimulus-led smart grid projects approach completion. Now driven instead by regulatory requirements and operational efficiencies, North American utilities are looking for best practices and proven business cases to help them spend their money most effectively. Within these new market conditions, it’s Continue reading →
CenterPoint Energy, PG&E and SDG&E have topped a ranking of smart grid maturity in North America released by GTM Research. The three utilities each scored 4.2 on the average maturity scale, a metric that the report – titled The Utility Smart Grid Outlook in North America 2013 – bases on a utility’s smart grid portfolio, Continue reading →
