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PG&E smart meter communication failure – lessons for the rest of us — GreenMonk: the blog
Smart meter rollout programs worldwide are expensive propositions. They can't afford to fail. Unfortunately, they are being carried out by utilities, organisations who are notoriously bad at communications.
As the recent Bakersfield fiasco shows, PG&E have fallen foul of this problem.
Utility companies need to be uber-sensitive to concerns around Smart Meter rollouts or their programs could fail spectacularly.
PG&E smart meter problem a PR nightmare
"The problems raised by the massive Pacific Gas & Electric smart grid installation in California will serve as a valuable lesson for other utilities around the world when they begin similar endeavors. Utilities must ensure that customers understand how to fully utilize their new smart meters before they are installed."
Department of Energy - Secretary Chu Announces $620 Million for Smart Grid Demonstration and Energy Storage Projects
"At an event in Columbus, Ohio this afternoon, Secretary Chu announced that the Department of Energy is awarding $620 million for projects around the country to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid. These 32 demonstration projects, which include large-scale energy storage, smart meters, distribution and transmission system monitoring devices, and a range of other smart technologies, will act as models for deploying integrated Smart Grid systems on a broader scale. This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be leveraged with $1 billion in funds from the private sector to support more than $1.6 billion in total Smart Grid projects nationally. "
OSIsoft and Microsoft webcast on Smart Grid tech
"At a joint webcast, hosted by Warren Causey of Energy Central, OSIsoft and Microsoft will discuss Microsoft's Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA), a document intended to help utilities understand how Microsoft technologies address their implementation of the smart grid and smart energy ecosystem."
EPRI’s Erfan Ibrahim: 5 Myths About the Smart Grid Buildout
Speaking at The Networked Grid conference Erfan Ibrahim — who heads EPRI’s work on communications, systems management and cyber security for the smart grid — dished out a sort of grab bag of opinions on a range of hot smart grid topics. Here are five myths, misunderstandings and truths he raised about how the smart grid should be rolled out...
President Obama Announces $3.4 Billion Investment to Spur Transition to Smart Energy Grid
"Speaking at Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, President Barack Obama today announced the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history, funding a broad range of technologies that will spur the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The end result will promote energy-saving choices for consumers, increase efficiency, and foster the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. "
CUSTOMER WIN: San Diego Gas & Electric’s ‘Smart and Secure’ Electrical Grid to be Powered by BMC Software - BMC Software
"As the country’s thirst for renewable energy grows, leading public utilities like San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) are developing smart grids that seamlessly combine alternative energy with current energy infrastructure systems.
SDG&E and BMC Software (NYSE: BMC) are working together as part of a coalition of more than 25 companies to convert the utility’s energy system into a digital smart grid that manages alternative energy sources such as solar and wind and accommodates the rapid adoption of electric vehicles."
Software Enabled Earth : Microsoft Launches Software Architecture for Smart Grid Development
"Microsoft announced it has developed a software reference architecture to help the Utility industry take a significant step in smart grid development. Called Microsoft Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA), this reference architecture addresses technology integration throughout the full scope of the smart energy ecosystem."
Smart Grid: The Coming Smart Grid Data Surge
"the advancements of the Smart Grid are founded in information. Data is used to inform consumption, to make rates more dynamic, and to enable the next-generation power prosumer. In reading a recent piece on potentially mandated Smart Metering in the UK, the Telegraph raises the issue of data handling relative to today's data management. In short strokes, 44 million homes were typically measured twice a year, making for 88 million entries for data. In the new system, every home is measured twice a day, meaning that those 88 million entries have now become over 32 billion."
Smart Grid: The Smart Grid and Consumers: Unanswered Questions
In addition to the potential “prize” the Smart Grid might offer them, other consumer concerns must be addressed to gain their trust and comfort with the dramatic change the Smart Grid represents
Smart Grid: Google and Partner Offer Home Energy Management Without Smart Meters
"Google and Energy Inc. have partnered to provide a home power-measuring device that works with Google's energy management software to give homeowners detailed information about their power consumption that can help them monitor and reduce energy consumption. "
Smart Grid Projects Get Ready to Roll in the U.S., UAE · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives
"Cisco, together with utility, technology and local government partners, are developing some of the nation’s first projects to create a smarter electric grid. General Electric is also testing how smart appliances can help lower power demand in a pilot program at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi."
Cisco Launches German Smart Grid Project - News - eWeekEurope.co.uk
"Cisco is partnering with a German electric company, Yello Strom, in a smart grid project designed to create a system that will help businesses and residents measure and control the energy consumption of their appliances"
Echelon and Eaton to Extend the Smart Grid Into the Home
Echelon today announced that Eaton has become a value-added reseller of Echelon’s Networked Energy Services (NES) System and that Eaton will incorporate its home automation product line for energy management, enhanced comfort and safety with the NES System.
The agreement will focus on utilities and electricity providers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The announcement was made today at the Metering Europe event in Barcelona, Spain. "
Smart Grid: Smart Grid Investment to Quintuple in Next Two Decades
"The amount of money invested in the Smart Grid is expected to grow fivefold over the next 20 years."
Smart Electricity Meters Now Easier to Design - Technology For Change
"Freescale's ColdFire microcontroller instills smarts into electricity meters, enabling consumers and businesses to keep track of electricity usage and its cost."
Australia Plans Smart Electricity Grid to Reduce Energy Pollution and Carbon Pollution
Australia today announced a $100 million plan for the country’s first commercial-scale “smart” grid to deliver electricity.
California Utility Plans for Electric Cars - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com
The chairman of PG&E, northern California’s largest utility is preparing for the onset of electric cars — soon
The importance of open standards for broad smart grid adoption
If you are not sure why open standards are important, you need to read this quote from the opening address of the The Southern African Telecommunications Networks and Applications Conference 2005, by then Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena:
The tsunami that devastated South Eastern Asian countries and the north-eastern parts of Africa, is perhaps the most graphic, albeit unfortunate, demonstration of the need for global collaboration, and open ICT standards. The incalculable loss of life and damage to property was exacerbated by the fact that responding agencies and non-governmental groups were unable to share information vital to the rescue effort. Each was using different data and document formats. Relief was slowed, and coordination complicated.
Google Writing Smart Grid Software for Hybrids - Reviews by PC Magazine
Google Inc is in the early stages of looking at ways to write software that would fully integrate plug-in hybrid vehicles to the power grid, minimize strain on the grid and help utilities manage vehicle charging load.
"We are doing some preliminary work," said Dan Reicher, Google's director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives. "We have begun some work on smart charging of electric vehicles and how you would integrate large number of electric vehicles into the grid successfully."
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