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Date: 2013-02-01
Calico Energy Services reports that it has licensed Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) portfolio of advanced energy management Intellectual Property (IP). The IP was licensed through Battelle, which manages PNNL for the U.S. DOE
. The IP was developed in response to the challenges facing electric utilities, including the need to improve reliability, reduce costs, and integrate renewable energy. The portfolio coordinates large numbers of smart grid assets, including demand response, distributed generation, and distributed energy storage typically owned and controlled by customers.
PNNL's development of the technology was funded by DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability and the ARRA Act. The Patent Portfolio is based on a single, integrated smart grid model that utilizes an economic signal to automatically balance supply and demand at the lowest possible cost.
PNNL's technology has proven effective in real-world installations, such as the Pacific Northwest GridWise™ Demonstration Project, which PNNL led on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula from 2006 to 2007. A related version of the technology is also being used in the Battelle-led Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, a large-scale project designed to help bring the nation's electric transmission system into the information age.
(Source: Calico Energy Services, 29 Jan., 2013) Contact: Calico Energy Services, Michael Miller, President & COO, (425) 440-0201, www.calicoenergy.com; PNNL, www.pnl.gov
Tags Pacific Northwest National Laboratory news, Calico Energy news, Energy Management news,
Date: 2013-01-09
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) just released report, Assessment of Demand Response & Advanced Metering, notes that U.S. electric co-ops lead the nation in smart meter implementaion and in the adoption of smart grid technologies for their members. As in previous surveys, the report found that electric cooperatives have the largest penetration, nearly 31 percent, among categories of organizations; well above the 22.9 percent penetration level for all U.S. utility customers that FERC reported for 2011. The report also found that advanced metering penetration among co-ops increased from 16.4 percent in a 2008 survey to 24.7 percent in 2010 to 30.9 percent in 2012.
The report also pointed out NRECA's smart grid initiative among efforts supported by the DOE's Smart Grid Demonstration Program project.
NRECA's Enhanced Demand and Distribution Management Regional demonstration has focused on technologies that could benefit more than 700,000 members in a dozen states.
More than 230 electric co-ops participated in the study. (Source: FERC, ECT Coop, Jan. 8, 2013) Contact: FERC, (202) 502-8200, www.ferc.gov; ECT Coop, (703) 907-5500, [email protected], www.ect.coop
Tags ECT Coop news, FERC news, Smart Grid news, Smart Meter news, news,
Date: 2012-11-07
Energy consulting and testing & certification company DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability was hired by Netbeheer Nederland -- the Association of Energy Network Operators in the Netherlands -- to study smart grid demonstration projects around the world, with a focus on technical, policy, regulatory and social aspects. The points learned from this study will help inform network operators involved in current and future smart grid projects in the Netherlands.
The study focused on the differences between continents. For instance, in the US, smart grids are mainly used to make variable energy rates possible and to reduce peaks in electricity use. In Europe, the emphasis is on energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions, whereas in some parts of Asia the priority is on improving the reliability of the energy network. Smart grids are an important precondition to making the energy transition possible. Dutch network operators invest approximately €1.5 billion annually in the replacement and expansion of their grids. The Netbeheer Nederland report Networks for the future showed that between €20 and €70 billion extra must be invested before 2050 in order to adapt and 'smarten' the energy grids. It is imperative that these investments be practical. An earlier cost-benefit analysis showed that smart grids are profitable, due to consumer behavioral adaptation in response to variable energy rates as well as to cost savings in the construction of the energy grid.
Before the network operators can decide to make such sizeable investments, it is important that they first gain smaller-scale experience with the different aspects of a smart grid. To that end, the network operators started a number of test sites, where these aspects are tested for feasibility in practice. The experiences are shared among the network operators and with other stakeholders, with the aim of using this knowledge to make the right choices for the future. Now the results of the DNV KEMA study can be used for this purpose as well.
Netbeheer Nederland (the Association of Energy Network Operators in the Netherlands) is the branch organization for all electricity and gas network operators. (Source: DMV, Nov.6, 2012) Contact: DNV KEMA, www.dnvkema.com
Tags DNV KEMA news, Smart Grid news,
Date: 2012-08-13
EPRI reports that its Smart Grid Demonstration Initiative has advanced past the half-way mark and research is yielding solid results. While two utilities joined the initiative in 2011, Ergon Energy from Australia and Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), others have been actively deploying equipment to the point where data collection and analysis have enabled completion of case studies focused on specific portions of the demonstrations, the EPRI report says.
The initiative is a seven-year international collaborative research demonstrating the integration of distributed energy resources (DER) in large scale demonstration projects. In total 23 utilities are participating with a common goal of shared learning covering a wide breadth of technology, deployment, and program results. Case studies include:
During 2012, the highest three priority research topics under investigation are distribution management system (DMS) applications, DMS integration, and cybersecurity for field equipment. (Source: EPRI, Aug. 10, 2012) Contact: EPRI, IntelliGrid, www.smartgrid.epri.com
Tags Distributed Energy news, EPRI news,
Date: 2012-05-22
On May 17, nine Japanese companies -- Shimizu Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Sharp Corporation, Meidensha Corporation, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and TheFurukawa Battery Co., Ltd. -- launched a demonstration study for the Albuquerque Business District Smart Grid Demonstration Project as part of NEDO's Japan-U.S. Collaborative Smart Grid Demonstration Project. The demonstration study will continue for two years, ending in March 2014.
The Project demonstration study will be conducted using an existing three-story, 7,000-square meter commercial building with an electric power load near 400 kilowatts (kW). A micro grid (to supply power from the demand side) will be installed in the building from power sources consisting of a 50kW photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, a 240kW gas-engine generator, 80kW fuel cells and a 90kW battery system. By controlling each of these power generation systems, the demonstration study will: perform demand and supply adjustment within the building based on requests from a commercial electric utility supplier; operate the power generation systems according to energy and heat demand within the building itself, and: compensate for power output fluctuations in the PV power generation system of the regional utility company.
U.S. Project participants side include Public Service Company of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories(SNL)and the University of New Mexico. In addition, Accenture and Itochu Corporation will respectively undertake Project data management and demonstration site management support.
(Source: NEDO, PR, 21 May, 2012)
Date: 2012-04-13
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has selected Landis+Gyr to deploy a smart grid demonstration project that will test consumer response to dynamic pricing signals, as well as the scalability of smart grid technology in the Route 110 corridor located in Farmingdale, NY which is part of LIPA's service territory. The project includes deployment of Landis+Gyr's Gridstream™ RF smart grid network, along with advanced meters and in-home energy displays to consumers in the town of Farmingdale on Long Island, NY. The project area, which includes the Farmingdale State College campus, was chosen because it is representative of LIPA's customer base in terms of demand levels and percentage of residential versus commercial customers.
LIPA and its partners, Stony Brook University and Farmingdale State College, received a Smart Grid Investment Grant from the DOE to fund the project. They are using this demonstration project to provide a comprehensive assessment of the benefits of smart grid technology. In addition to advanced metering, the utility is interested in solutions to automate and control distribution devices. Deployment of the Gridstream network and advanced meters is scheduled to be completed by June of 2012.
Gridstream RF technology uses a highly versatile and proven radio mesh network to communicate with meters, in-premise devices and distribution automation equipment. Gridstream devices use the Smart Energy Profile standard to enable communication with smart appliances and in-home units. This technology is currently being deployed to millions of residential and commercial sites across North America.
Based in Uniondale, NY, LIPA is a non-profit municipal electric provider that owns and operates the retail electric transmission and distribution system on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the second largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, third largest in terms of customers served and the seventh largest in terms of electricity delivered. (Source: Landis+Gyr, April, 11, 2012) Contact: Richard Mora, CEO , Landis+Gyr, (678) 258-1500, www.landisgyr.com; LIPA, www.lipower.org
Tags Long Island Power Authority news, Landis&Gyr news,
Date: 2012-04-13
Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation have developed and begun the operation of "M-tech Labo" , a smart grid demonstration system that utilizes EV rechargeable batteries for electric-demand leveling of factory facilities. Tokyo Institute of Technology is playing an advisory role for the project. This demonstration project is part of the KEIHANNA Eco-City Next-Generation Energy and Social Systems Demonstration Project, one of the four smart grid initiatives authorized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate load shifting by charging at night when demand is low, storing power produced from renewable sources in rechargeable batteries, and supplying such power back to the grid when factory facilities and offices face peak demand. MC, MMC and Mitsubishi Electric also expect that utilizing EV batteries and used rechargeable batteries, instead of expensive, dedicated batteries, will lower costs while promoting the environmental-benefits of renewable energy and EVs.
Details of the system follow HERE. (Source: Mitsubishi Motors, April, 11, 2012) Contact: Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, www.mitsubishi-motors.com
Tags Mitsubishi Motors news,
Date: 2012-04-12
Princeton Power Systems (PPS) has been selected as the inverter supplier by Green Charge Networks (GCN) to support a $95 million smart grid demonstration project sponsored by the U.S. DOE. The project is being led by New York-based Consolidated Edison Inc. (Con Edison). The multiyear demonstration project aims to identify, develop and test new technologies within the electric delivery system that will help build a smarter, more efficient grid. The project includes the integration of smart grid architecture and the effects of widespread EV adoption on the electric grid.
GCN's scope of work includes the installation and operation of a network of smart storage and generation units, known as GreenStations, in the New York City distribution grid that communicate directly with Con Edison.
The GreenStations include multiple PPS 100 kW grid-tied inverters and demand-response inverters, which will function as the interface between the electric grid and the lithium-ion battery system. (Source: Princeton Power Systems, April, 10, 2012)
Contact: Darren Hammel, Executive VP Business Development, Princeton Power Systems, (609) 955-5390, [email protected], www.princetonpower.com; Green CHarge Networks, Ron Prosser, President and CEO of (347) 384- 2600, www.GreenChargeNet.com
Tags Princeton Power Systems news, Green Charge Networks news,
Date: 2012-02-27
NorthWestern Energy has selected Full Spectrum's FullMAX™ private, broadband, wireless communications system for some of its smart grid communication needs.
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas to 668,300 customers in 349 cities in the western two-thirds of Montana, eastern South Dakota and central Nebraska. NorthWestern manages approximately 30,500 miles of electrical transmission and distribution lines and 9,375 miles of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines and storage facilities.
NorthWestern will use the FullMAX™ broadband wireless system to communicate with intelligent network devices including capacitor bank controllers, reclosers, voltage regulators and voltage sensors distributed along remote transmission and distribution electrical lines. Real time communications and control of intelligent grid devices increases electric power quality, reliability and efficiency. NorthWestern's initial FullMAX™ deployment will be located in Philipsburg, Montana and is part of the DOE's Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project coordinated by The Battelle Memorial Institute. (Source: NorthWestern, February 27, 2012)
Contact: NorthWestern Energy, Dan Rausch, Director, NorthWestern Energy, (605) 978-2902, [email protected], www.northwesternenergy.com
Tags Northwestern Energy news, Full Spectrum news,
Date: 2012-02-24
Hitachi, Ltd.and Silver Spring Networks, Inc. have formed a strategic alliance under which they will offer integrated solutions to power utilities and power users in the global smart grid sector. Their products and solutions will focus on improving efficiency in the power and information fields, leveraging the existing strengths and market leadership of both companies. As part of the alliance, Hitachi will acquire convertible bonds with stock acquisition rights to be issued by Silver Spring. The two companies will jointly undertake R&D for new products and solutions for the smart grid. Hitachi and Silver Spring have been working together on the Japan-U.S. collaborative smart grid demonstration project on the Hawaiian island of Maui since the spring of 2011. This alliance will strengthen and expand that relationship. (Source: Silver Spring, February 23, 2012) Contact: Silver Spring Network, Matt Smith, Senior Director of Product Management, (650) 298-4200, www.silverspringnet.com; Hitachi, www.hitachi.com
Tags Hitachi news, Silver Spring Networks news,
Date: 2012-02-21
Industrial battery manufacturer Saft will supply lithium-ion batteries to Green Charge Networks (GCN) as part of a $92 million smart grid demonstration project that is being led by Consolidated Edison Inc. (Con Edison). GCN's scope of work includes the installation and operation of a network of smart storage and generation units in the distribution grid that communicate directly with Con Edison. Site selections include several convenience stores, car rental locations, hotels and parking garages, all in the New York City area.
Saft will be supplying energy-storage systems totaling close to 1 MWh, utilizing the Synerion 24M high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Installation is slated to begin in March.
Con Edison initiated the multi-year demonstration project in 2010 after receiving a U.S. Department of Energy award to identify, develop and test new technologies within the electric delivery system. (Source: Saft, February, 2012) Contact: Con Edison, Maria Robinson, Director, Business Development, (914) 993-2166, [email protected], www.conddev.com; Saft Batteries, www.saftbatteries.com
Tags Consolidated Edison news, Saft news,
Date: 2012-02-07
Siemens Smart Grid division and TIBCO Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TIBX) will provide Smart Grid enterprise integration services to Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) for a Smart Grid demonstration project. The project is a result of Con Edison Company of New York receiving funding for the Smart Grid demonstration project from the DOE through the ARRA stimulus program.
Siemens (NYSE: SI) and TIBCO will provide a fully integrated and secure Smart Grid solution for Con Edison using standards-based software and technologies. Together with Siemens and TIBCO, Con Edison will be able to improve Smart Grid reliability and provide customers with greater visibility, flexibility and value; enhance control capabilities for existing Smart Grid assets and manage daily system peaks via demand response; and determine how to best apply developing technologies.
Implementation of the Smart Grid integration solution began in August 2011. The project is estimated to be completed in May 2013. (Source: Siemens, February 6, 2012)
Contact: , Siemens Smart Grid Division , United States., Thierry Godart, President, www.usa.siemens.com/smartgrid; TIBCO, Murat Sonmez, EVP, Global Field Operations, www.tibco.com; Consolidated Edison, www.coned.com
Tags Consolidated Edison news, Siemens Smart Grid news,
Date: 2012-02-06
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Choi Kyu-Chong, Director of the Electricity Market and Smart Grid Division at the Republic of Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) signed a letter of intent to pursue mutual interests in smart grid development in the Hawaiian Islands. Korea and the United States, specifically Hawaii, have been conducting a number of relevant smart grid demonstration projects. Korea and State of Hawaii recognize that it would be mutually beneficial to collaborate on smart grid research, development and demonstration projects in conjunction with public/private partners from Korea, Hawaii and elsewhere in the United States.
MKE and its Korea Smart Grid Institute (KSGI) have been at the forefront of the Korea Smart Grid Roadmap, South Korea's plan to develop and implement a nationwide smart grid by 2030. The MKE and KSGI are currently leading more than 170 South Korean companies in the development and deployment of the Jeju Island Test Bed, a planned 6,000 household smart grid community demonstration project in South Korea, with investments totaling more than $240 million between 2009 and 2013. KSGI is also currently implementing a joint Korea-State of Illinois project to install energy-saving equipment in at least four Chicago buildings with investments of more than $35 million by companies such as LG Electronics and KT Corporation (formerly known as Korea Telecom).
The goal of the partnership between Korea and Hawaii is to develop a memorandum of understanding for a project in Hawaii similar to those mentioned above. Such a partnership would help both partners achieve the mutual goals of smart grid development and deployment, which ultimately improves energy efficiency and promotes economic growth.
The next step outlined in the letter of intent is for both parties to collaborate on a more defined memorandum of understanding by October 31, 2012, which will describe the project partners, scope, location and resource contributions.
This project is in addition to another smart grid demonstration project that is currently taking place on Maui, which was brought forward through an agreement with Japan-based New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in November of 2011. (Source: Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie, February 4, 2012)
Date: 2011-11-04
Hitachi Ltd., Cyber Defense Institute Inc., and Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. have been selected as contractors for a smart grid demonstration project spearheaded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The project aims to establish a system model for the integration of clean energy and to verify technologies in a smart grid system on Maui, where a high percentage of renewable energy is already in place.
Hitachi will lead and coordinate the project, which is a joint undertaking by the U.S. and Japan and is based on the Japan-U.S. Clean Energy Technologies Action Plan.
Hitachi, Cyber Defense, and Mizhuo will work with the state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., the University of Hawaii and the U.S. national laboratories on the project, which is scheduled to be complete by March 2014. (Source: Hitachi Ltd, November, 3, 2011)Contact: Hitachi, www.hitachi.com; James Shea, CEO, Cyber Defense Institute, (315) 443- 4895, [email protected], http://cyberdefenseinstitute.net/
Tags Hitachi news,
Date: 2011-11-04
KEMA, a global provider of business and technical consulting, is partnering with NorthWestern Energy to connect approximately 200 Montana utility customers to the smart grid as part of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. In addition to installing home area network equipment, KEMA will work with customers on equipment use and benefits, and manage the educational components of the campaign.
The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project is a $178 million program funded by the U.S. DOE to test and measure new technologies, such as distributed automation (DA) and conservation voltage reduction (CVR), as well as analytical tools for the smart grid.
NorthWestern Energy will test DA and CVR, as well as energy savings associated with demand response and load control. The company will deploy Tendril Network's Tendril Connect. (Source: KEMA, November, 3, 2011)Contact: Dan Rausch, Director, NorthWestern Energy, (605) 978-2902, [email protected], www.northwesternenergy.com
;Hugo van Nispen, Managing Director,KEMA Americas, (781) 273-5700 (US OFFICE), www.kema.com
; Marie Bahl, Director of Marketing/Communications, Tendril Inc., (303) 468-4445, [email protected], www.tendrilinc.com
Tags Northwestern Energy news, Tendril news,
Date: 2011-10-20
Landis+Gyr has been selected by Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) to deploy advanced meters and infrastructure as part of the utility's wide-ranging smart grid project aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing costs and integrating alternative energy on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. KIUC is one of 23 electric cooperatives participating in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) Smart Grid Demonstration Project. The project is designed to assist rural utilities, such as KIUC, in implementing technologies that make the electricity grid more efficient and reliable.
KIUC will be deploying Landis+Gyr's Gridstream™ RF mesh network technology that provides an intelligent communication path with advanced meters, distribution devices and home area networking equipment. About half of the project is being ARRA funded. (Source: Landis&Gyr, October, 19, 2011) Contact: Dilney Bibao, Landis+Gyr, [email protected], www.landisgyr.com
More Energy Overviews LandisGyr news,
Date: 2011-10-06
The IEEE Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP) and Washington State University Laboratory through its smart Grid Demonstration and Research Investigation lab (SGDRIL), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and implement a standards-based, Smart Grid related test program. The program focuses on IEEE C37.118 syncrophasor performance, accuracy and certification testing providing utilities with important information to validate manufacturer's syncrophasor claims.
Synchronized phasor measurements (synchrophasors) provide real-time measurement of electrical quantities across a power system. Applications of synchrophasor measurements include system model validation, determining stability margins, maximizing stable system loading and system-wide disturbance recording. The MoU includes cooperative marketing, educational activities, and an open dialogue to further IEEE standards conformity in global markets.
ICAP is designed to be flexible and participant driven, while creating innovative programs that address industry requirements. In addition, ICAP is focused on bridging IEEE standard development with the conformity assessment activities that accelerate market acceptance and enablement of new products and technologies. (Source: IEEE, October, 5, 2011)
Contact: Peter Lefkin,Managing Director, IEEE Conformity Assessment Program, ICAP, (732) 562-3802, [email protected]
More Energy Overviews ICAP news,
Date: 2011-10-03
Pecan Street Inc. today announced that Best Buy, Check-It, Chevrolet, Freescale, Intel, Landis+Gyr, Sony, SunEdison and Whirlpool will join it in creating a consumer-focused smart grid built around home applications and consumer electronics. The companies will test consumer products on a smart grid platform and dedicate researchers to Pecan Street Inc.'s smart grid demonstration project in Austin. The University of Texas professors and students carrying out Pecan Street research. Headquartered at The University of Texas at Austin, Pecan Street Inc. is a research and development organization focused on developing and testing advanced technology, business model and customer behavior surrounding advanced energy management systems.
Chevrolet and Pecan Street Inc. will team up to provide 100 Chevrolet Volts for lease or purchase to participating residents. This will mark one of the nation's highest residential concentrations of electric vehicles. To date, more than 130 residents within a one-square mile area have signed up to buy or lease a Volt.
Best Buy with Check-It, as well as Intel, Sony and Whirlpool will deploy home services systems that serve as the operating platform for consumer smart grid products and services. These systems can provide consumers with a range of home security, energy management, health care monitoring, home improvement, entertainment and labor-saving services.
Best Buy and Whirlpool will test smart appliances and provide guidance and research collaboration on integrating smart appliances into home services systems to provide enhanced consumer services. Best Buy will work with Whirlpool to install and provision the smart appliances.
SunEdison will lead the research team's work to develop home solar panel charging for the Chevrolet Volts. A number of the SunEdison-led home solar vehicle charging systems will also have in-home batteries, and all systems will integrate into Best Buy/Check-It, Intel, Sony and Whirlpool home services systems.
Landis+Gyr will leverage its smart grid network platform and will install several hundred E350 FOCUS AX smart meters with Smart Energy Profile for smart consumer product connectivity. These meters and the associated communication networking platform will make it possible for the Best Buy/Check-It, Intel, Sony and Whirlpool home services systems to integrate pricing and demand management information from utility distribution systems.
(Source: Pecan Street Inc, September, 30, 2011)
Contact: , Brewster McCracken, Executive Director, Pecan Street, (512) 650-4442, www.pecanstreet.org
More Energy Overviews Pecan Street news,
Date: 2011-09-21
Concord, Ontario-headquartered RuggedCom Inc. , a manufacturer of utility grade Ethernet and 4G wireless broadband networks, has been selected as a key partner of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) regional Smart Grid Demonstration Project.
The project aims to demonstrate the reliability, efficiency, and cost benefits of a smarter grid to NRECA members. Participating cooperatives will deploy more than 250,000 pieces of equipment across 12 states, including communication infrastructure and SCADA. (Source: RuggedCom, September, 20, 2011)
Contact: Marzio Pozzuoli, President and CEO, RuggedCom, (905) 856-5288, www.ruggedcom.com; Glenn English, CEO, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, (703) 907-5746, www.nreca.org
More Energy Overviews RuggedCOM news, NRECA news,
Date: 2011-08-30
Elster (NYSE: ELT) announced today that Idaho Falls Power (City of Idaho Falls, Idaho) will deploy the Elster EnergyAxis® Smart Grid solution as a key component of its Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. The Idaho Falls Power deployment is part of the DOE's $178 million Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. Elster's EnergyAxis, a field-proven Smart Grid solution with more than 90 active deployments and five million endpoints across the globe, enables utilities to:
More Energy Overviews Elster news, Advanced Metering news,
Date: 2011-08-04
Boulder, Colorado-based Tendril, the provider of the cloud platform for the Energy Internet, reports that NorthWestern Energy, one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, has selected Tendril for its Smart Grid Demonstration Grant Project. Tendril Energize™ and Tendril Connect™) will be deployed to deliver consumer engagement and enable energy usage behavioral changes, and to provide Demand Response and load control benefits to NorthWestern Energy.
NorthWestern Energy will launch this summer with select customers in urban and rural parts of Montana, with Tendril's deployment focused in Helena. These volunteers will use the Tendril Energize consumer engagement application suite, which includes a web portal and mobile apps for the iPhone and Android, as well as in-home smart devices all built upon the Tendril Connect platform for real-time energy consumption information and usage control tools.
This deployment is part of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, a $178 million program funded by the U.S. DOE to test new technologies and advanced analytical tools for the Smart Grid. NorthWestern Energy's portion will specifically test distribution automation and conservation voltage reduction (CVR), as well as energy savings associated with DR and load control. The project will also measure the impact of providing customers with new and innovative ways to control their energy consumption, and produce useful insight into customer acceptance and usage behavioral changes.
Leading industry providers Itron and Lockheed Martin are partnering with Tendril on the NorthWestern Energy Smart Grid project. Lockheed Martin's SEEsuite Smart Grid Command and Control™ platform will provide demand response management and integrated situational awareness, and Itron is supplying its CENTRON® R300 advanced residential meters and Tendril-sourced Home Area Network equipment of smart thermostats and in-home display products.
The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project is a collaborative, five-year test of new technologies and advanced analytical tools that will demonstrate the potential for a safe, scalable and interoperable Smart Grid for regulated and non-regulated utilities. The collaborative involves the BPA, five technology partners, and 11northwestern utilities and more than 60,000 utility customers. The project is managed by Battelle. (Source: Tendril, August, 2, 2011)
Contact: Marie Bahl, Director of Marketing/Communications, Tendril Inc., (303) 468-4445, mbahl@tendrilinc, www.tendrilinc.com; Dan Rausch, Director,NorthWestern Energy, (605) 978-2902, [email protected], www.northwesternenergy.com
More Energy Overviews Northwestern Energy news, Tendril news,
Date: 2011-07-20
Green Charge Networks has launched their GreenStation energy storage and management device operated directly by commercial facilities such as grocery and convenience stores, fast-food chains, hotels, parking garages and hotels. GreenStation locally stores energy during periods of low use and augments grid power with stored energy during peak demand, avoiding usage peaks that cause expensive charges on the electricity bill, while enabling value adds such as EV charging.
GreenStation is offered in fixed and mobile configurations. The mobile unit is especially suited for businesses with extreme energy usage patterns such as ball parks or theaters. GreenStation Mobile is ideal for temporary, high-demand energy needs and EV charging at any location.
Green Charge Networks designed GreenStation with the technical support of Con Edison of New York under a smart grid demonstration project funded by the DOE.(Source: Green Charge Networks, Green Car Networks, July, 18, 2011)
Contact: Ron Prosser, President and CEO of Green Charge Networks, (347) 384- 2600,
www.GreenChargeNet.com
More Energy Overviews Green Charge Networks news,
Date: 2011-07-14
The OpenADR Alliance, a nonprofit corporation created to foster the development, adoption and compliance of a Smart Grid standard known as Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) has selected QualityLogic Inc. to develop a conformance and interoperability test tools and Intertek Group PLC to provide testing and certification services for OpenADR compliant products. The selection follows competitive process through a recent Request for Proposals (RFP) process seeking companies to bid on the supply of test tools and testing and certification services. QualityLogic was selected to develop a test tool allowing the company to become the independent test tool vendor for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products. Headquartered in Moorpark, California, QualityLogic was founded in 1986 to help the fledgling desktop printer industry achieve interoperability goals by providing rigorous test solutions for page description languages. During the past 25 years, QualityLogic has developed numerous test solutions for the consumer electronics and telecom industries and in 2009 was named the testing partner for the largest smart grid demonstration project in the US. QualityLogic is also an active participant in the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Testing and Certification Committee and the OpenSG Conformity Work Group.
Intertek was selected as the exclusive testing and certification partner, providing conformance and interoperability testing and certification for OpenADR 2.0 compliant products. Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. The company supports end-to-end Smart Grid testing, certification and consulting services for safety, compliance, and interoperability. Intertek's Smart Grid solutions cover power generation (fossil, nuclear and renewables), transmission and distribution, systems operations (ISO/RTO), field area networks, home area networks, smart meters, EVs, consumer appliances, commercial building technologies and more. (Source: OpenADR, July, 12, 2011)
Contact:Barry Haaser, Managing Director, (408) 833- 6241, OpenADR Alliance, [email protected], www.openadr.org; InterTek, (800) 967-5352, www.intertek.com; QualityLogis, (214) 231-0446, www.qualitylogic.com
More Energy Overviews Intertek news, QualityLogic news, OpenADR Alliance news,
Date: 2011-06-29
Avista Corp has selected Tropos Networks and Itron Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) jointly developed Smart Grid solution as part of the $38 million Smart Grid Demonstration Project in Albion and Pullman, Washington.
To meet the project goals, Avista is deploying an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid communications, and distribution automation (DA) devices. Installation of Itron OpenWay® meters for Avista's 13,000 electric and 5,000 gas customers that are included as part of the project was completed in May. The meters will provide detailed energy usage data, outage detection and voltage monitoring. Additionally, Itron's meter data management solution will provide software analytics to optimize distribution system reliability and efficiency in the area.
The Project will also extend real-time communications to DA devices providing centralized monitoring and control, enabling Avista to take quick action to avoid or minimize power outages, as well as to determine which DA devices require maintenance or replacement. The DA portion of the Project encompasses 13 distribution feeders and includes 45 reclosers, 20 capacitor banks, and 800 transformers which will utilize the Tropos GridCom wireless broadband network for communications. (Source: Itron, June, 28, 2011) Contact: Philip Mezey, Itron President and COO, Energy, www.itron.com; Heather Cummins, Director , Avista's Smart Grid Projects, (800) 727-9170, www.avistautilities.com
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More Energy Overviews Tropos news, Itron news, Avista news,
Date: 2011-05-03
In the UK, Hitachi Europe Ltd. - Smart Grid Venture has concluded an agreement with Western Power Distribution (South West) PLC and Western Power Distribution (South Wales) PLC for the supply of a dynamic voltage control system for a smart grid demonstration project under the U.K.'s Low Carbon Networks Fund Tier One, established by Ofgem, the U.K. energy regulator.
The project will utilize Hitachi's power electronics and control systems to reduce voltage fluctuations on distribution lines where renewable energy is being connected, Hitachi explains in a statement released by the company.
The three-year project will begin this summer and will involve up to four sites in southwest England and South Wales. (Source: Hitachi, May, 2, 2011) Contact: Hitachi,www.hitachi.com
More Energy Overviews Hitachi Europe news, Ofgem news,
Date: 2011-04-20
The U.S. DOE Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) has signed a partnership deal with Duke Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to identify opportunities for testing and deploying ARPA-E -funded projects that will bolster the electric grid.
ARPA-E, Duke Energy, and EPRI will identify opportunities to expand smart grid developments, grid-scale energy storage, power electronics, and energy efficient cooling technologies, among others. This new umbrella deal, which allows similar partnerships with other utilities, comes two months after ARPA-E announced six of its projects have secured more than $100 million in outside private capital investment.
Under the terms of the agreement, ARPA-E will facilitate the exchange of information between ARPA-E-supported projects, EPRI, and Duke Energy, which delivers energy to approximately 4 million U.S. customers in five states. Duke Energy could deploy and test ARPA-E technologies at various power plants or wind farms. The technologies may also be studied at the company's McAlpine substation, a test bed for renewable, grid storage and smart grid technologies, or at the company's Envision Center, a smart grid demonstration and testing facility in Erlanger, Ky.
EPRI will offer test-bed facilities at two of its research laboratories: a transmission and distribution research facility in Charlotte, N.C. and at its Knoxville, Tenn. laboratory, where testing is conducted on consumer electronics, lightings, smart grid components, heating and cooling systems, and electric vehicle infrastructure requirements. (Source: EPRI, April, 18, 2011) Contact: EPRI, Clay Perry, (202) 293-6184, [email protected], www.epri.com
More Energy Overviews EPRI news, Duke Energy news,
Date: 2011-03-23
QualityLogic Inc. has launched their new Smart Energy Profile (SEP) 2.0 Test System that validates the interoperability and reliability of smart meters, business and residential energy management devices, and gateways that share energy information with business and residential users via the Smart Energy Profile 2.0 standard.
The Smart Energy Profile (SEP) 2.0 Test System, scheduled for availability to early adopters in Q2, benefits the entire Smart Energy ecosystem including device manufacturers, utilities, and system integrators. The system will include conformance test cases that exercise the full breadth of the SEP 2.0 Application Layer Specification, as well as synthetic simulation and actual simulations of real-world devices. The synthetic simulations will validate interoperability in the early stages of adoption, filling the gap until Smart Energy Profile 2.0 products come to market.
The Smart Energy Profile 2.0 Test System includes three test suites: SEP 2.0 Functional Test Suite, SEP 2.0 Comprehensive Engineering Test Suite, and SEP 2.0 Device Simulation Interoperability Test Suite. The initial release of the test will focus on SEP 2.0 over ZigBee, with support for other protocols including Wi-Fi and HomePlug as SEP 2.0 devices evolve. Last year, QualityLogic began development of a comprehensive set of conformance and interoperability tests to ensure proper operation of a unique Transactive Control System that will be deployed in the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project www.pnwsmartgrid.org.
The SEP 2.0 Test System is one in a series of a series of conformance and interoperability tests QualityLogic is developing for devices connected to a smarter grid. (Source: QualityLogic Inc, March 22, 2011)
Contact: Dave Jollota, President & CEO, Quality Logic, (805) 531-9030, www.qualitylogic.com
Date: 2011-02-09
Lee's Summit, Mo.-based Exergonix Inc's 1-MW battery and energy storage system will be used in a smart grid demonstration project in Kansas City's Green Impact Zone, a 150-block area of Kansas City. The technology can be tied to the utility grid and help manage power supplies, including those generated by solar and wind systems.
The battery will be installed in a substation to store energy for use in 330 houses in the area. The project will test the environmental and economic benefits as well as the reliability of Exergonix batteries. (Source: Exergonix)
Contact: Brent Franzel, VP Business Dev., (816) 875-4790 , www.exergonix.com
More Energy Overviews Battery Technology news, Energy Storage news,
Date: 2011-02-02
Pecan Street Project Inc. has completed systems installation and has gone live with the first phase of its smart grid demonstration project in Austin,
Deployed by Austin-based Incenergy LLC, the home smart grid systems achieved an installed cost per home of $341 ($241 for equipment plus $100 for installation). The systems are deployed in 100green-built homes, 11 of which have rooftop solar systems. This spring, Pecan Street Project will deploy Incenergy systems in a second group of 100 homes that are at least 10 years old.
Project researchers will use information gathered from these homes to structure next generation home smart grid systems. These systems, which selected companies will deploy in the project's second phase (beginning March 2012), will provide customers with the ability to remotely manage appliances and systems as well as electric vehicle charging and rooftop PV systems.
In the current first phase, data from participating homes is wirelessly reported to and securely maintained at the University of Texas's Advanced Computing Center. Project team members from Pecan Street Project, The University of Texas, Incenergy, Austin Energy, Texas Gas Service and Environmental Defense Fund have been conducting field trials of the systems since September 2010.
(Source: Pecan Street Project Inc, February 1,2011)
Contact: Brewster McCracken, Executive Director, Pelican Street Project Inc, (512) 782-9213, [email protected], www.pecanstreetproject.org
More Energy Overviews Pecan Street Project news, Incenergy news,
Date: 2010-12-01
New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) today executed a $29.6-million Cooperative Funding Agreement with the U.S. DOE as part of the agency's Smart Grid Demonstration Program. As a result, NYSEG launched a comprehensive feasibility study of an innovative, environmentally-friendly compressed air energy storage (CAES) facility for a site north of Watkins Glen.
"This is an exciting opportunity with some out-of-the-box thinking that could help us continue to meet the growing demand for electricity," said Mark S. Lynch, President of NYSEG and RG&E. "Storing electricity in the form of compressed air for use at times of peak demand has considerably less impact on the environment than operating fossil-fuel generators to meet peak demand."
CAES can match clean, off-peak renewable energy with peak load requirements and reduce the need to operate fossil fuel-fired generating units during peak load periods. Due to its quick startup capability, the CAES facility could provide grid stability by leveling out rapid changes in generation from nearby wind farms. Further, with the continuing development of wind energy in central and western New York, the need for fast-reacting grid stabilizing technologies is growing. NYSEG's proposed facility could operate for up to 16 hours using the stored compressed air.
The feasibility study will evaluate the technical and economic viability of CAES technology as an integral part of promoting stable electricity transmission system operation and the continued development of renewable energy. If CAES proves feasible and economical, NYSEG would seek approval from state and federal agencies to proceed with construction of the plant with a target in-service date of late 2014.
Under the agreement with DOE, NYSEG is required to share all development and operational experience with the industry so that this technology and the lessons learned can be available to promote future development of similar facilities.(Source: NYSEG, November 30,2010)
Contact: Mark S. Lynch, President of NYSEG and RG&E, www.nyseg.com
More Energy Overviews Compressed Air news, Energy Storage news, NYSEG news,
Date: 2010-10-18
Energy management technology provider Tendril has been selected for a four-year smart grid demonstration project for Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L), with the project rollout to 14,000 homes and businesses beginning soon. This demonstration project will use the Tendril platform, and provide home energy management devices such as in-home displays, load control switches, smart thermostats and appliances, as well as capabilities to support emerging technology such as electric vehicle recharging and distributed generation. (Source: Penn Energy, October 15, 2010) Contact: Marie Bahl, Director of Marketing/Communications, Tendril Inc., (303) 468-4445, mbahl@tendrilinc, www.tendrilinc.com; Kansas City Power and Light, www.kcpl.com.
More Energy Overviews Kansas City Power & Light news, Smart Grid Development news,
Date: 2010-10-14
Efacec Advanced Control Systems will provide smart grid technology for Avista's $42 million Spokane Smart Circuits project and its $38 million Smart Grid Demonstration Project in Pullman, WA. Both projects are partially funded with matching grants, with the Pullman initiative part of the larger Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project being led by Battelle. The projects include the deployment of a distribution management system, intelligent end devices, and a communications network along 72 distribution circuits and 17 substations, which will benefit more than 110,000 electric customers in Spokane and 14,000 electric and gas customers in Pullman. (Source: PRNewswire, October 12, 2010) Contact: Efacec Advanced Control Systems, (770) 446-8854, [email protected], www.efacec-acs.com; Anna Scarlett, Avista Utilities, (509) 495-4916, [email protected], www.avistautilities.com; Katy Delaney, Public Relations Manager, Battelle, (614) 424-7208, [email protected], www.battelle.org.
More Energy Overviews Avista news, Smart Grid Demonstration news,
Date: 2010-10-05
Further to our January 27, 2010 story, the Austin, TX Pecan Street Project has chosen Austin-based Incenergy to deploy its first smart meters as part of its smart grid demonstration. "We tested the technologies of several national and international companies for this important first step of our project," said Pecan Street Project Inc. Executive Director Brewster McCracken. "We're very pleased that we found a dynamic technology company right here in Austin that can help us immediately." Incenergy's system integrates the company's own sophisticated energy measurement software with voltage measurement and wireless networking hardware to measure and manage the minute-to-minute energy usage of a range of home appliances and systems. Such capabilities will be important as new pricing models and technologies such as smart appliances, electric vehicles and rooftop solar panels become more widespread. (Source: Smart Grid, October 4, 2010) Contact: Brewster McCracken, Executive Director, Pecan Street Project, Inc., (512) 466-5933, [email protected], www.pecanstreetprojectaustin.org; Alanna Gino, Incenergy, (202) 286-2498, [email protected], www.incenergy.com.
More Energy Overviews Incenergy news, Pecan Street news, Smart Meter news,
Date: 2010-10-05
Battelle has finalized the cooperative agreement with the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory that will release more than $89 million in economic stimulus money for the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. When combined with funding from the Bonneville Power Administration -- comprised of 11 utilities and five technology companies -- the initiative is able to solidify contracts and equipment purchases for the project's entire five years. The project will create about 1,500 smart jobs. (Source: Tri-City Herald, October 1. 2010) Contact: Katy Delaney, Public Relations Manager, Battelle, (614) 424-7208, [email protected], www.batelle.org; Scott Simms, Bonneville Power Administration, (503) 230-3520, [email protected], www.bpa.gov.
More Energy Overviews Pacific Northwest Smart Grid news,
Date: 2010-09-14
Kansas City Power & Light's smart grid demonstration will include Landis+Gyr's Gridstream as the advanced metering and grid automation technology platform. The project will provide customers with in-home displays, programmable thermostats, and home area networks, and includes infrastructure upgrades to substations and the distribution network. (Source: iStockAnalyst, September 12, 2010) Contact: Stan March, Landis+Gyr Group, (646) 205-3119, [email protected], www.landisgyr.com; Mike Chesser, Chairman, Kansas City Power & Light Company, (816) 556-2200, [email protected], www.kcpl.com.
Date: 2010-08-18
The US DOE has approved and released grant funding for the $178 million Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project -- which will include Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming -- that will create an estimated 500 jobs in Washington alone.
Funding for the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project will be used to install various pieces of smart grid framework across the five-state region, including smart meters that will provide real-time energy use information to customers that can help them save money on power bills. Smart grid technology includes hardware and software which, when linked together, can communicate to optimize how electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed, and used. Battelle is overseeing the project.
"With funding for this landmark smart grid demonstration project now moving ahead, our region is cementing its leadership in what will be a worldwide smart grid marketplace worth hundreds of billions of dollars," says Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). "This project will create hundreds of jobs in the near term and position Washington state to be a leader in the growing clean energy economy." (Source: Puget Sound Business Journal, July 16, 2010)
Contact: Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy, (202) 586-9220, [email protected], www.energy.gov; Don McConnell, President of Energy Technology, Battelle Memorial Institute, (614) 424-4924, [email protected], www.battelle.org.
More Energy Overviews Smart Grid news, Pacific Northwest Smart Grid news,
Date: 2010-08-11
NorthWestern Energy chose Lockheed Martin's SEEsuite Smart Grid Command and Control platform to provide demand response management for its smart grid demonstration. SEEsuite combines Lockheed Martin's expertise in systems-of-systems integration, service oriented architectures, cyber security and mission-critical systems development with utility-specific functionality. NorthWestern Energy will deploy two SEEsuite applications including SEEload for demand response management and SEEgrid for smart grid situational awareness. Northwestern Energy serves approximately 661,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. (Source: PRNewswire, August 9, 2010) Contact: Bobbi Schroeppel, Vice President, Communications, NorthWestern Energy, (605) 978-2900, www.northwesternenergy.com; Tom Grumbly, Vice President, Energy & Security Services, Lockheed Martin, (301) 897-6000, [email protected], www.lockheedmartin.com.
More Energy Overviews Smart Grid Software news, Lockheed Martin news, NorthWestern Energy news,
Date: 2010-06-28
SustainX of New Hampshire has finalized a $5.4 million award from US DOE to demonstrate new Smart Grid technologies. The funds will enable SustainX to accelerate its technology development and ultimately deploy a full-scale demonstration unit in 2012. The technology, called Isothermal Compressed-Air Energy Storage (ICAES), uses electrical energy to compress air near-isothermally, stores it above ground in commercial gas storage containers and expands it near-isothermally to generate electricity. To date, the company has achieved six of its eight Phase I of three technical milestones under the terms of the US DOE award, including demonstration of its isothermal heat-transfer approach at scale where high power compressions and expansions are being performed at 95% efficiency. The award, selected in late 2009, is funded under US ARRA. (Source: PR Newswire, June 22, 2010) Contact: Troy McBride, SustainX, (603) 276-3393, www.sustainx.com; Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy, (202) 586-9220, [email protected], www.energy.gov.