Smart Grid Update - Transmission & Distribution

Weekly Intelligence Brief 15 - 22 February 2012

ksdicks — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:50:51 +0000

Précis:

Itron buys SmartSynch for $100m Companies mentioned: Siemens, TIBCO, Consolidated Edison, Fujitsu Laboratories of America, A123 Systems, Northern Powergrid, Corn Belt Power Cooperative, Exalt Communication, Itron, SmartSynch, Petra Solar, and Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation

Weekly Intelligence Brief 15 - 22 February 2012

Itron buys SmartSynch for $100m

Meter giant Itron has acquired privately held SmartSynch for $100 million, to bring greater choice to utilities across the spectrum of smart metering deployments. Mississippi-based SmartSynch provides point-to-point smart grid solutions that utilize a cellular network for communications and has more than 130 customers, including nine of the top ten utilities in North America.

Image:

Premium`:

Consumer demand response market to transform utilities into service companies

Jason Deign — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:35:38 +0000

Précis:

Utilities have a critical need to get consumers to help out with demand response. But what’s in it for the person on the street?

What has a power utility got in common with an estate agent? The answer, according to Richard St Clair, managing director of the metering company Elster in the UK, is that the average consumer is not particularly keen on hearing from either.

“You don’t want to interact with your utility,” he guesses. But utilities will need that to change. You have got something they want. And it is not just your money: increasingly, it is part of the energy you consume.

Image:

Premium`:

Automated Demand Response hits Europe for first time

Elisabeth Jeffries — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:31:14 +0000

Précis:

Supply contracts look promising as an automated demand response (ADR) system common in the US is to be introduced in Europe for the first time. OEM acquisitions of ADR supportive technology is also ramping up.

The ADR, which depends on specialist software, provides utilities with two-way communication with energy management systems in commercial and industrial sites and is intended for up to 30 buildings in Bracknell, Berkshire. What are the benefits and why now?

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 8 – 15 February 2012

ksdicks — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:53:54 +0000

Précis:

Cinterion bags Linyang Electronics supply deal Companies mentioned: Cinterion, Gemalto, Linyang Electronics, State Grid Corporation of China, Accenture, UtiliData, Braemer Energy Ventures, Efacec, 350 Green, and University at Buffalo

Weekly Intelligence Brief 8 – 15 February 2012

Cinterion bags Linyang deal

Cellular M2M modules maker Cinterion and a Gemalto have won contract to supply Linyang Electronics. The Chinese company will be integrating Cinterion's BGS2 in their smart metering products and power utilization management terminals.

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 1 – 8 February 2012

ksdicks — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:04:28 +0000

Précis:

ABB to integrate EV chargers into smart grids Companies mentioned: ABB, RWE, DOE, Coulomb Technologies, Siemens, Con Edison, TIBCO Software , Beacon Power, Rockland Capital, Solectria Renewables, Bella Energy, PG&E, and California Public Utilities Commission

Weekly Intelligence Brief 1 – 8 February 2012

ABB to integrate EV chargers into smart grids

Automation technology specialist ABB and European utility, RWE are collaborating to investigate a combined technology offering for networked charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Image:

Premium`:

Role of nuclear energy in creating smarter US grid networks

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:06:06 +0000

Précis:

Nuclear consultant, Margaret Harding, offers her insights into how smart grid technologies can boost storage capacity on the already constrained US grid network. She also looks at how nuclear's demand response record could actually help solar projects and overall power stability across the US.

By Margaret Harding

The concept that smart grids are separate from, and conflict with, traditional grids has been discussed in recent times. A key fact that has to be understood is that the current electricity grid in the US is a demand system. That is, electricity is generated as it is demanded.

Very little storage capacity is available on the grid today. This makes electricity generation, transmission and distribution among the most complex systems in the world.

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 26 Jan. – 1 February 2012

ksdicks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:20:18 +0000

Précis:

NREL launches plug-n-play testing Companies mentioned: Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) at NREL, Johnson Controls, EnergyConnect, Elster, Wide Bay Water, A1, BIES, SAIC, and Intelligent Energy Systems

Weekly Intelligence Brief 26 Jan. – 1 February 2012

Plug-n-play pre-grid testing at NREL

The US Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is building electrically interconnected laboratories as part of its Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) where research partners can literally plug in and test new energy technologies on real and simulated power systems before hooking them up to the grid.

Image:

Premium`:

Turning power grids into communication highways

Jason Deign — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:25:20 +0000

Précis:

Smart grid operators need to find ways to turn power networks into communications networks. And there is no shortage of options.

Yoav Zingher, director and co-founder of KiWi Power, has a neat way of summarising the value of his company’s demand response offering. “We’re trying to replace the power from peaking power stations,” he says. “We turn demand patterns into what looks like a power station.”

This matching of demand more accurately to output, rather than throwing more energy at the peak power problem, is at the heart of how smart grids can benefit utilities and their customers, and ultimately cut as much greenhouse gas as a host of renewable energies.

Image:

Premium`:

China: Taking the lead on renewable energy storage

Paul French — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:19:34 +0000

Précis:

China’s State Grid Corporation has built the world’s biggest battery for wind and PV storage as a package of measures to manage an increasing number of energy sources threatening to overwhelm the country’s outdated grid infrastructure.

China recently announced the launch of its first commercial battery storage station for renewable energies - the world's largest to date.

The project, a joint venture between China's leading battery manufacturer BYD and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), has completed construction of the utility-scale project, located in Zhangbei, in central China's Hebei Province.

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 18 – 25 January 2012

ksdicks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:55 +0000

Précis:

Tendril, BMW to build smart energy home demo Companies mentioned: Tendril, BMW Group Technology, KiWi Power, Ofgem, Northern Power Grid, Itron, IBM, Vermont Electric Power Company, ClipperCreek, Silver Spring, Pacific Control Systems, and Infotility

Weekly Intelligence Brief 18 – 25 January 2012

Tendril and BMW to build smart energy demo home

Energy cloud platform developer, Tendril, and the BMW Group Technology Office USA are partnering to build out a demonstration smart energy home in Mountain View, California to prepare for the roll-out and integration of the new BMW ActiveE electric vehicle (EV).

Image:

Premium`:

Eastern protocols and the pan-Asian energy network

Jason Deign — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:13:36 +0000

Précis:

An ambitious plan to connect energy systems from China to Australia raises the question of whether such grand designs could help shape the nature of smart grid protocols in the region.

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 6 – 11 January 2012

ksdicks — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:25:38 +0000

Précis:

Infrax to acquire Southern Power & Controls Companies mentioned: Infrax Systems, Southern Power & Controls Corporation, Toyota, Toshiba, Landis & Gyr, and Pike Research

Weekly Intelligence Brief 6 – 11 January 2012

Infrax to acquire Southern Power & Controls

Infrax Systems, a provider of unified smart grid-related products and services for the Energy and Utility industries, have formed a definitive agreement to complete the purchase of Tampa, Florida-based Southern Power & Controls Corporation (SP&C).

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 20 Dec. – 5 January 2012

ksdicks — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:41:15 +0000

Précis:

Mitsubishi claims UK’s largest EV dealer network Companies mentioned: Mitsubishi, Honeywell, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, ECP, Smart Grid Initiative, SmartSynch, Itron, Landis+Gyr, ComEd, and KEMA

Weekly Intelligence Brief 20 Dec. – 5 January 2012

Mitsubishi claims UK’s largest EV dealer network

Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi has ambitious plans to tap the future electric vehicle market in the UK and is claiming it will provide the UK's largest dealer network for electric cars. The launch is in preparation for the car maker’s launch of its new plug-in hybrid expected to hit the market in the next 18 months.

Image:

Premium`:

UK needs a life-support system for networks under growing pressure

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:20:22 +0000

Précis:

David Pitcher, UK Country Manager for Power Plus Communications, a smart grid and meter communications network specialist, outlines the opportunities and challenges ahead for distribution network operators in the UK.

By David Pitcher, UK Country Manager Power Plus Communications

The UK is moving towards a smart grid model for its energy market. This intelligent power generation and distribution system will drive a fundamental change in the way we consume energy, automatically balancing and controlling supply and demand to maximise use of energy at minimal cost.

The communication infrastructure is the beating heart of the smart grid concept, empowering customers to play a far more active role and take control of their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Image:

Premium`:

Smart grid communications networks: are we looking at them in the right way?

Gail Rajgor — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:58:57 +0000

Précis:

Joined up thinking by reverse engineering the big picture could create a truly holistic smart network that works for everyone

When it comes to designing smart grid communications networks the options are boundless. Utilities could opt for a fairly basic network that only does meter reading or diagnostics.

They could invest in more sophisticated systems which also integrate applications like commercial area networking capabilities, speech automation, SCADA functions, distribution automation, substation automation, equipment delivery tracking, and more besides.

Others could also integrate public services offerings, such as internet and Wi-Fi capability.

Image:

Premium`:

Weekly Intelligence Brief 15 – 21 December 2011

ksdicks — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:40:06 +0000

Précis:

EnVerv makes close on $12m series B round Companies mentioned: EnVerv, Benchmark Capital, Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs, UK Energy Research Centre, RuggedCom, Belden, PowerSecure International, General Electric Global Research Institute, Itron and Eléctrica de Guayaquil

Weekly Intelligence Brief 15 – 21 December 2011

EnVerv closes $12m round

EnVerv, a US-based fabless semiconductor company developing high performance Communications System on Chip (SoC) solutions for the smart grid market, has closed a $12m series B round of funding led by Benchmark Capital. Existing backers NEA and Walden International also invested in this latest round.

Image:

Premium`:

Nordics to provide valuable smart grid lessons

Peter Taberner — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:10:53 +0000

Précis:

The power hungry Nordics are pressured to rapidly develop smart meter and grid networks to harness additional renewables and nuclear power plants. These nations will offer valuable lessons worldwide, notably as their advanced cross border grids come to fruition.

Finland and Denmark can claim to have made significant progress with their respective smart grids.

The Danes have managed to produce more power than most countries on its smart grid from renewables, even though its grid is yet to be fully rolled out, and with a plethora of pilot schemes from renewable energy projects in place, the trends it has set itself are set to continue.

Market drivers

Image:

Premium`:

Intelligence Brief 1 – 14 December 2011

ksdicks — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:58:10 +0000

Précis:

Consolidation starts with eMeter takeover Companies mentioned: Siemens Industry, eMeter, UISOL, Glendale Water & Power, EIB, Iberdrola, ERCOT, Alstom Grid, Transco, Entergy, ITC, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and Syscon Hefcom Smart Solutions

Intelligence Brief 1 – 14 December 2011

Signs of consolidation with Siemens' eMeter takeover

Siemens Industry has signed an agreement to acquire all of the stock of California-based eMeter. Corporation, The parties expect to close the deal in December 2011, subject to necessary approvals and customary closing conditions. The parties will not disclose the terms of the agreement.

Image:

Premium`:

Smart Grid Technology 2011 EU

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:29:32 +0000

Event Date:

Thu, 2011-09-15 - Fri, 2011-09-16

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smartgridtechnologyeu/

Event Location:

Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Number of attendees:

Event Organiser:

Annabel Helm

Event Organiser E-mail:

ahelm@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Meet Utility Requirements and Industry Standards to Guarantee Adoption of your Smart Grid Technology

Smart Grid Distribution Automation 2011 US

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:05:56 +0000

Event Date:

Wed, 2011-11-02 - Thu, 2011-11-03

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/distributionoptimization/

Event Location:

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, Raleigh, NC

Number of attendees:

Event Organiser:

Baruch Hecht

Event Organiser E-mail:

bhecht@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Automate and optimize energy distribution to improve reliability, increase efficiency and reduce waste

Smart Grid Technology 2011 US

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:03:38 +0000

Event Date:

Wed, 2011-06-01 - Thu, 2011-06-02

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smartgridtechnology/

Event Location:

Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Jose, CA

Number of attendees:

Event Organiser:

Baruch Hecht

Event Organiser E-mail:

bhecht@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Increase Smart Grid Technology Uptake Through Profitable Partnerships & Business Models

Smart Grid Technology 2010 EU

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:00:04 +0000

Event Date:

Tue, 2010-10-26 - Wed, 2010-10-27

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smartgridtechnologyeu/2010/

Event Location:

Regent Park Marriott Hotel, London, UK

Number of attendees:

100

Event Organiser:

Gargi Iyer

Event Organiser E-mail:

giyer@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Increase the uptake of smart grid technologies by devising profitable business models

Smart Grid Technology 2010 US

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:54:56 +0000

Event Date:

Wed, 2010-06-02 - Thu, 2010-06-03

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smartgridtechnology/2010/

Event Location:

Sheraton Mission Valley Hotel, San Diego, CA

Number of attendees:

174

Event Organiser:

Gargi Iyer

Event Organiser E-mail:

giyer@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Accelerate Uptake of Smart Grid Technologies by Deploying Interoperable Solutions to Win Utility Accounts

Smart Communications for Energy Management 2012

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:16:35 +0000

Event Date:

Tue, 2012-03-27 - Wed, 2012-03-28

Event URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smart-communications-forum/

Event Location:

Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, GA

Number of attendees:

120

Programme URL:

http://www.smartgridupdate.com/smart-communications-forum/agenda.php

Event Organiser:

Baruch Hecht

Event Organiser E-mail:

bhecht@smartgridupdate.com

Précis:

Optimize energy management with a robust, cost efficient, integrated communications network

Weekly Intelligence Brief 17 – 23 November 2011

ksdicks — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:07:08 +0000

Précis:

London smart meter trial beginsCompanies mentioned: Ofgem Low Carbon Network Fund, EDF, UK Power Networks, Korea Telecom, On-Ramp Wireless, Fountain Springs, ABB, Powercorp, GE, and BT

Weekly Intelligence Brief 17 – 23 November 2011

London smart meter trial begins

The first smart meters of UK Power Networks' London smart grid trial are being rolled out to homes across the capital. The project, dubbed Low Carbon London, is one of a number of schemes partly funded by Ofgem's Low Carbon Network Fund. As part of the programme, network companies bid for money to work out how to deal with the massive changes to their businesses brought about by decarbonising energy supplies and the increasing electrification of heat and transport.

Image:

OLD NID:

1318

Weekly Intelligence Brief 7 - 16 November 2011

ksdicks — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:51:54 +0000

Précis:

C&W and Silver Spring to build Isle of Wight smart grid platformCompanies mentioned include: Cable&Wireless, Silver Spring Networks, Ecoland Partnership, Serious Energy, Agilewaves, EST Leadership Forum, Sempra Energy, PG&E, Austin Energy, APS and Southern California Edison

Weekly Intelligence Brief 7 – 16 November 2011

C&W and Silver Spring to build Isle of Wight smart grid platform

Cable&Wireless and Silver Spring Networks have signed an agreement to participate in the EcoIsland Partnership, the largest energy sustainability project in the UK. The EcoIsland Partnership's objective is to make the Isle of Wight energy self-sufficient by 2020.

Image:

OLD NID:

1317

Germany: a nation crying out for smart grid implementation

ksdicks — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:38:43 +0000

Précis:

Germany’s rapid phase out of nuclear power paired with an equally rapid uptake of renewables and a dependency on Austrian imported energy has put Germany in a tight position when it comes to power stability.

By Elisabeth Jeffries

Current snapshot

The solar PV sector is unlikely to benefit greatly from the phase out of nuclear power in Germany – one of the biggest economies adopting this policy – unless major changes are announced to energy laws. Seven nuclear reactors were switched off this year, with several more due to be phased out in the period to 2022. To cope with the change over the coming winter, Germany has been relying on more power capacity in Austria and has also cut down on exports.

Image:

Premium`:

OLD NID:

1312

Unified Operations Centers: the boost the smart grid industry has been waiting for?

ksdicks — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:53:52 +0000

Précis:

Just when the smart grid and meter industry was feeling sluggish with a loss of direction, a light at the end of the tunnel appeared last week. At least for one company that launched the first Unified Operations Center for utilities and power providers. According to customers and industry analysts, this solution establishes a new segment in the energy management software industry. Combine this with benefits of devices, such as smart sensors, and the smart grid industry could be back on track.

By Katherine Steiner-Dicks

Power fluctuations cause annual losses of $12bn to $26bn in the United States. In addition, looking at the past few years, more than 10 million people in North America were without power supply for at least 24 hours, while some had no electricity for more than a week. Just sit back and think about that.

Image:

OLD NID:

1303

Weekly Intelligence Brief 5 – 12 October 2011

ksdicks — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:26:33 +0000

Précis:

Mexico Smart Grid market value to hit $8.3bn by 2020Companies mentioned: Northeast Group, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), Alstom Grid, ISO New England, Psymetrix, Toshiba, Ansaldo T&D, Landis+Gyr, Raffineria, SynapSense, EnergyHub, Power Assure, Current and Gridco.

Weekly Intelligence Brief 29 September – 12 October 2011

Mexico Smart Grid to reach $8.3bn by 2020

Image:

OLD NID:

1281

Military might: creating smart grids for US troops

ksdicks — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:33:54 +0000

Précis:

Innovations in smart grid technology and renewable energy have caught the imagination of the US military in its mission to cut costs and become more dependent on sustainable energy.

By Peter Taberner

Recently one of the most eye catching moves has been the collaboration between the US Department of Defense (DOD) alongside Boeing and Siemens, who announced a strategic agreement to jointly develop and market smart grid technologies.

It’s an alliance that draws on Boeing’s expertise in providing the DOD with a system of systems approach to complex systems and technologies, and Siemens’ global energy management capabilities.

Image:

OLD NID:

1276