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The Possibilities of 'Smart Grid'
By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
It’s an idea that everyone’s talking about, when it comes to energy efficiency and yet it has no solid definition. Smart Grid includes capturing the five to fifteen percent of power that’s lost in the transmission of energy, but it also means better tracking of energy consumption, and the ability to adjust power production accordingly. We’ll learn more about Smart Grid... what it is, what are its challenges and what it could mean for New England.
Guests
- Clifton Below, commissioner for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
- George Gantz, senior vice president of Customer Services and Communications for Unitil Corporation
We'll also hear from
- Mitch Gross , Spokesman for Connecticut Light and Power
- Ray Gosney , Executive Vice President for the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative
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Off-Peak meters used to be common, but were phased out. You could only draw power during off-peak times. I used to heat my water with it at a lower rate. Is it still available and does it really help balance the power usage load? Could smart grid replicate this function?
I would have liked to have heard more about grid frequency regulation with new technologies that becoming available. Flywheel technology seems to be one that has a lot of promise, in its ability to absorb and release energy during respective times of peak and trough. This technology is also ideal for regulating wind and solar power and integrating it into the grid. Beacon Power is based out of Tyngsboro, MA and has a pilot project going with NY ISO (I am not affiliated with them in any way). Clearly a combination of technologies like the ones predominately discussed on today's program and what I mentioned will need to be employed.
I am always skeptical of these companies who use the word "savings". While companies are known to find ways to lower their costs, I have never known them to seek out ways to lower their accounts recivable. At best this is a spin on a higher bill which they wil claim would have been higer. In the end they will have only eliminated some jobs, meanwhile raising my bills to pay for the so-called improvements.