| This week's sponsor is Elster. |  | | consumer satisfaction - improved asset management - increased energy efficiency - www.elster.com |
Today's Top Stories
1. NRDC: Wind farms generate tens of millions in revenue
2. Pepco smart meters under investigation
3. Atlantic Canada utilities foresee opps in tidal power
4. Thermal energy storage capacity to triple by 2020
5. Mandatory energy use disclosure opens buildings sector to utilities Also Noted: Spotlight On... Solar leaders form industry alliance
PECO testimony; AWEA ouster and much more... The impact of broadband
Over the past ten years, broadband growth has remained constant in an otherwise unstable market. Broadband has become a necessity for many – with a number of governments and international bodies pronouncing it a 'human right'. We know that it has made a significant impact on the world -- it has changed the way we live and do business and is continuing to insinuate itself into our lives. Distance is no longer a barrier to keeping in touch. Connected-home services enabled by broadband -- such as home-security, telemedicine and energy control -- are threatening to revolutionize our homes. Feature
Utilities go retail
Energy is an important pillar of the connected home market, and big box retailers are capitalizing on emerging trends to converge upon the energy market. The proliferation of smart appliances, smart meters, and devices such as smart thermostats as part of the connected home will be further driven by growth in smartphone and tablet applications that allow users to more easily monitor, manage and control these technologies while away. Feature Advanced solar roof racking solutions mitigate PV system cost
Photovoltaic solar rooftop installation raises a number of challenges that could slow widespread adoption among homeowners and businesses, including maintenance of roof water-tightness; roof warranty; continuous operation; aesthetics; stability; durability of materials; and high costs of labor. The benefits to utilities are huge, including being a low-risk investment that encourages energy efficiency and conservation, and reduces dependence on the electricity grid. Feature News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Successful smart grid optimization
2. USDA beats smart grid financing goal
3. GE, Xtreme Power invest $100M in battery energy storage
Today's Top News 1. NRDC: Wind farms generate tens of millions in revenue
The future of the wind industry hangs in the balance, as Congress ponders the renewal of the Production Tax Credit. New research from the National Resources Defense Council supports the benefits of why the PTC should be extended. According to the research, each major U.S. wind farm creates almost 1,100 jobs in manufacturing, construction engineering and management, among others, and potentially tens of millions in new taxes, as well as lease payments to land owners and economic development revenues. Currently, wind farms generate about 50,000 MW of clean, renewable energy -- the equivalent of the energy produced by 12 Hoover Dams. The wind industry employs about 75,000 people. Wind energy production has increased by more than 170 percent in the past four years alone. The Senate could pick up the PTC debate as early as later this week. For more:
- see this article Related Article:
Lack of PTC jepordizes thousands of wind energy jobs Read more about: National Resources Defense Council, wind industry production tax credit
back to top |
| This week's sponsor is Clasma Events. |  | | Since 2007-globally recognized as the must-attend event dedicated to the modernization of Smart Grid. |
2. Pepco smart meters under investigation
The DC Public Service Commission has decided to entertain a request for investigation into the health safety of Pepco's smart meters, according to Order 16892, released last Friday. The order came in part as a response to an August 2012 letter from DC Chairwoman Yvette Alexander, which questioned the health implications of smart meters, including possible negative effects of RF emissions. It also raised questions about privacy and safety measures of the meters. "We have been monitoring developments in this area, and we agree with the members of the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs that further exploration of smart meter issues is appropriate," the PSC wrote in its order. The decision is a turnaround for the PSC, which in 2009 ordered Pepco to install smart meters in DC without an opt-out option. The PSC rejected a similar call for an investigation earlier in 2012, according to a report in the Washington Business Journal. Nearly all of Pepco's more than 250,000 Washington customers have had smart meters installed, and the utility does not believe them to be unsafe, according to information on the utility's website. For more:
-see this article
-view the order
Related Articles:
Bad timing for Pepco rate decision
Regulators ask PECO to provide smart meter failure rate
PG&E shares smart meter lessons Read more about: Smart Meters, Pepco
back to top |
3. Atlantic Canada utilities foresee opps in tidal power
Foundational research results by the Atlantic Energy Gateway (AEG) initiative have been announced. The AEG was announced in March 2009 with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation towards the development of Atlantic Canada's clean energy resources and represents a collaborative approach among the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Natural Resources Canada, the Atlantic Provinces, regional power utilities and electricity system operators. The Atlantic Provinces and utilities will use this foundational research, building on the collaborative networks established through the AEG, for key energy policy and commercial decisions. Each province possesses important renewable resources and clean energy assets. Developing them strategically will have benefits for all parties. The AEG study models the regional power systems out to 2040. Read the entire article online at FierceEnergy.com Read more about: tidal power
back to top |
4. Thermal energy storage capacity to triple by 2020
Thermal energy storage (TES) has been used commercially for many decades, largely to shift peak energy use into lower-cost periods and enhance electricity production at concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, by storing heat for later power generation. Pike Research predicts a sharp increase in TES over the next several years. With the exception of pumped hydroelectric storage, which dwarfs the installed capacity of all other commercially available energy storage technologies, TES is the most common form of storage. Pike projects that interest in energy storage in general will open new opportunities for TES with installed U.S. capacity of 2.7 GW in 2011 increasing by 4.5 GW, nearly tripling to a total of 7.2 GW by 2020. Europe will lead the growth, given the country's heavy emphasis on energy-efficiency initiatives and the rise in volatile renewable electricity generation. In a conservative estimate, Pike predicts there will be around 2 GW of new capacity per year by 2020. "Although other storage media, especially batteries, are expected to grow significantly faster than TES, TES revenue will continue to increase with global revenue from new TES installations forecast to surpass $3.5 billion by 2020," said Research Director Kerry-Ann Adamson of Pike. For more:
- see this article Related Article:
Energy storage market represents opportunity for utilities Read more about: Pike Research, thermal energy storage
back to top |
5. Mandatory energy use disclosure opens buildings sector to utilities
New York City is the first in the country to disclose private-sector building energy data from a mandatory benchmarking policy, making building energy use transparent. Mandatory disclosure and public dissemination could be the most effective and transparent way to instill energy efficiency in the buildings sector. The measuring and disclosure of building energy use is the most comprehensive policy in the nation addressing energy use in existing buildings and the cornerstone of New York City's Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. Mandated energy benchmarking and public disclosure of the results, as well as public scrutiny of those results, could increase the building sectors' interest in energy efficiency – and open many doors for utilities. Or utilities can make their own opportunities to get their foot in the door using the benchmarking data to assess where cost-effective building improvements can be made. In 2011 alone, New York City has publicly posted energy benchmarking results for 2,065 large commercial properties, covering more than 530 million square feet. Public disclosure of the benchmarking results is required annually and is made in the fall. For more:
- visit this website
- see the 2011 results Related Articles:
Seattle, utilities partner for building benchmarking
Xcel funds building benchmarking pilot
Energy benchmarking law to benefit utilities, consumers Read more about: mandatory energy benchmarking and disclosure
back to top |
Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Solar leaders form industry alliance Solar industry leaders have launched the HDPV Alliance, aimed at reducing photovoltaic balance of system costs while increasing energy production from PV plants. The Alliance favors open technology standards to optimize the design to deliver a lower total system cost and higher performance. Article Quick news from around the Web >Solar installations jump 116 percent from a year ago. Article
>PECO will testify at smart meter hearing. Article
>Itron delves into solar. Article
>The American Wind Energy Association has voted Exelon off its Board of Directors. Article > GridWeek 2012 - October 2,4 - Washington, DC Globally recognized as the must-attend gathering dedicated to the modernization of our global Smart Grid. For more information and to register, click here! > GridComms - October 22, 2012 - London, UK GridComms is the global Smart Grid event focused on Smart Grid Communications infrastructure. From deploying and securing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to building smart cities, this show is aimed at bringing communications professionals together to discuss innovation, application, and management of smart grid networks. This event will showcase technology innovation, network and data management, customer engagement technologies, and industry collaboration. For more information and to register, visit www.gridcomms.com. > OilComm 2012 Conference & Exposition - November 6?8 - Houston, TX OilComm features content focused on communications solutions to remote drill sites as well as viable options for offshore platforms. Join oil and gas professionals to learn from experts, discuss challenges faced, and explore the latest solutions from top companies. Register HERE!
| > White paper: Smart Planning for Smart Grid AMI Mesh Networks Mesh networks must be properly designed to operate within the constraints of mesh routing protocols and capacity limits This white paper shows how planning/analysis techniques can deliver reliable and scalable networks and outlines best RF design practices to optimize for performance and cost. Download today! > White paper: Cyber Security and the Energy Sector Utilities face many security challenges today. AT&T and Sierra Wireless are working together to provide strong and proven security technologies enabling utilities with a secure and flexible two-way communications infrastructure to connect and communicate in real time. Download now. > Whitepaper: Creating Your Smart Grid: A How-to Guide The smart grid promises to bring unprecedented opportunities for both utilities and consumers, improving safety, reliability, efficiency and security. But how do we create the smart grid? What are the technologies to consider? How do the various technologies interoperate? How do we get the traditional applications to work well with the new ones? Download this How-to Guide today! | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.