Posts filed under ‘Renewables’
U.S shows strong gains in energy efficiency, sustainability: new report
Significant data presented in a new market intelligence report on U.S. clean energyindicates that overall U.S. electricity demand is flat or even declining.
According to this report (published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Business Council on Sustainable Energy), total U.S. energy use fell 6.4% from 2007-2012. This was driven largely by advances in state and federal energy efficiency initiatives, which the power sector frequently opposes.
Read full guest post by Doug Todd, director of U.S. Government Affairs for Siemens Corp.: Report: Strong U.S gains in energy efficiency, sustainability
Power grid resilience: how the smart grid can help
Resilience: it’s a hot topic on the exhibit floor and in the hallways at this week’sDistributech conference in San Diego.
Resilience means the ability of the power grid to withstand natural disasters and other attacks (think computer hacking or terrorism), as well as faster restoration after outages. Resilience also means withstanding disturbances and fluctuations on the grid caused by solar power, wind turbines, and even electric vehicle chargers. These things vary according to the vagaries of weather and whims of electricity consumers — in strong contrast to centrally controlled and operated power stations and transmission grids.
How can the smart grid help? Here are some options…
Full post: Why power grid resilience has people talking
CPUC says California is meeting and exceeding renewables target
California often has been criticized as being overly aggressive in setting renewable energy targets. Yet this week, the California Public Utilities Commission reported that last year the state met its goal of getting 20% of its power from renewable resources. Also, California also is on track to “far surpass” that goal in 2012…
Making the most of the smart grid: the consumer empowerment “triad”
In my view, the whole point of the smart grid is the benefits it can deliver to consumers, utilities, and society.
The smart grid will not only reduce energy waste and help utilities operate more efficiently — it also will improve reliability, deliver even more energy savings, minimize the need for extra power plants to meet peak demand, accommodate more wind and solar generation, and make it more economical to drive electric vehicles.
These lofty goals are supported by this triad of consumer empowerment strategies…
Full post: Consumer empowerment “triad” makes the most of the smart grid
Smart grid key to Denmark’s plan to go 100% renewable energy
Recently the government of Denmark committed to shifting half of its total energy consumption to renewable resources in a decade — and to go to 100% renewables in the future.
On March 22 the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Buildings released an agreement to meet half of that nation’s electricity need with wind power by 2020. Currently wind power can serve only a quarter of Denmark’s 1.5 million households.
This agreement also covers energy use for heating, industry, and transportation — not just residential electricity service. It implies that Denmark could cut energy consumption by 12% by 2020 (compared to 2006 usage).
Full post by Alicia Carrasco: Denmark commits to 100% renewable energy
Wind energy hits new record high, smart grid can make it work
The World Wind Energy Association reports that in 2011 the global market for wind turbines set a new record: a total of 42 gigawatts (GW) installed capacity. This is up nearly 12% from 2010 — and more than double the 19 GW total growth in all power plants in the U.S. that same year. This brings the total worldwide wind energy capacity to 239 GW — enough to meet 3% of the world’s electricity demand.
While wind energy offers clear environmental benefits, this growth poses greater problems with intermittency for utilities. It also could lead to more frequent curtailments, when wind energy is wasted.
Fortunately, the smart grid and smart meters provide a powerful solution, by enabling consumers to time-shift their energy use to better match the timing of wind power generation.
Full post: Wind energy growth hits new record high, smart grid can make it work
President’s green energy vision: High marks for Siemens, missed the mark on smart grid
Last night, when describing his vision for America, President Obama told the story of Jackie Bray, a single mom from Charlotte, N.C. who was laid off from her job. Then someone stepped up in her community and opened a gas turbine factory, started a job training program at the local college, paid her tuition — and hired her to work in their plant.
That company was Siemens. I’ve never been prouder to work for any company (which I’ve now done for all of two weeks, since Siemens acquired eMeter).
Full post: Obama’s green energy vision: High marks for Siemens, missed the mark on the smart grid
Putting consumers in control of Europe’s smart grid
As the European Union develops its smart grid plans, some key strategic decisions must be made — especially regarding how to involve consumers as active players in the energy market.
Earlier this month the European Parliament held a lunch debate on saving energy in buildings and putting customers in control. Several industry players and consumer groups presented their views on demand response, demand management, and how to avoid running power plants unnecessarily (or building new ones)…
Full post by Alicia Carrasco: EU smart grid: putting consumers in control
Renewable energy: disruptive technology
I’m sitting in a café on the Champs d’Elysees amid the electric atmosphere of streetlights, neon signs, cars, trucks, shoppers, gawkers, storekeepers, and restaurateurs — an abundance of energy.
Energy has driven the development of modern civilization and conveniences. And renewable energy supplies are growing fast. But like any disruptive technology, the growing flocks of wind turbines and expanding acres of solar-equipped rooftops around the world are causing temporary growing pains for the energy industry.
Fortunately, these “problems” are really opportunities. And utilities like TXU Energy in Texas are pioneering solutions…
How the smart grid can help us stop wasting precious renewable energy
Today the journal Electricity Policy is reporting a regulatory victory for wind power owners: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has decided that the Bonneville Power Administration cannot force wind producers to curtail production in favor of hydroelectric plants.
The new FERC order emphasizes that BPA, which operates in the Pacific Northwest, cannot discriminate against wind energy.
As SmartGridWatch reported earlier, the sad thing is that is that every day, precious renewable energy resources are discarded. Wind turbines get shut down, or water gets spilled over dams without turning turbines — while gas- and coal-fired plants in BPA’s Northwest region continue to run.
Part of the solution is to build more transmission lines to deliver wind power — which is usually in remote locations — to cities where electricity is consumed.
But there’s another, easier part of the solution: Smart meters and the smart grid can enable demand response and energy storage. This can give the grid more flexibility to manage fluctuating generation capacity, thus reducing waste of renewables…
Full story: Stop wasting precious renewable energy! The smart grid can help
Smart Grid Watch 