SmartGridNews.com

The smart grid revolution starts... tomorrow?

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:34:54 PST

Is the smart grid initiative on the verge of a major transformation? Read the story to find out why a leading manufacturing company's CEO thinks the time is right for the electric industry to merge with other sectors to meet challenges of grid modernization like intermittent renewables and energy storage.

Does the Boulder municipal utility saga mean more munis coming?

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:22:52 PST

There has been speculation that Boulder, Colorado's possible break up with Xcel Energy to form its own municipal utility could foreshadow a trend toward more similar "secessions." We don't think that's likely, and we tell you why.

Utilities to FERC: We don't need your security measures, but thanks

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:14:35 PST

Considering the widespread news coverage, including our own, on the increasing number of cyberattacks against electric utilities, survey results that show few are taking measures to defend themselves against the Stuxnet virus are mystifying. Get the details inside.

U.S. plug-in EV milestone: 100,000 sold

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:38:40 PST

Plug In America, a plug-in EV advocacy group, said the number of the cars sold would reach 100,000 this week – a number the organization sees as a milestone. It's based on published reports of EV sales.

S&C Electric: Smart grid as a smart city foundation

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:25:46 PST

S&C Electric's Michael Edmonds understands the importance and relevance of smart grids to smart cities. Read the story for his views on the related challenges, from financing to regulatory issues, and how the market and technologies are progressing.

DOE awards $1.4 million to train future synchrophasor engineers

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:58:37 PST

Projects at seven colleges and universities around the U.S. will receive awards from the Department of Energy to better prepare the electricity industry workforce of the future in synchrophasor technology. Click for details on this new program and which schools will be involved.

Chinese army resumes attacks against power grid

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:53:16 PST

Smart Grid News has reported frequently on stepped up cyber attacks against U.S. energy infrastructure. According to a Pentagon report, China's military has been behind a number of attacks for several years – and is back at it after a three-month lull.

First-ever military microgrid demonstration marks next phase in the market

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:45:10 PST

The U.S. military has been a leading force in renewables for some time as it has embraced and invested heavily in smart grid technologies. Now the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin have launched the DOD's first grid-connected microgrid, incorporating renewables and energy storage.

National Grid makes sustainability hub part of its smart grid pilot

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:26:26 PST

National Grid plans to add a Sustainability Hub to its smart grid pilot in Worcester, MA to help educate customers and the community about energy efficiency and emerging technologies. National Grid has gone a long way to get and keep customers involved in the project from the very beginning.

Smart grid success tactics: 70% of Americans favor infrastructure investments for security

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:34:09 PST

A new poll has found that a majority of Americans – 70% – support infrastructure investment in national security. What does that tell us? That we should be making the connection between the smart grid initiative and national security clear to ratepayers and regulators.

Senate confirms Moniz as DOE head in unanimous vote

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:50 PST

After weeks of delay, the U.S. Senate confirmed physicist Ernest Moniz, President Obama's nominee, as head of the Energy Department Thursday in what was an unusual and surprising unanimous vote considering the political climate in Washington, D.C. We share some reactions from energy industry and environmental groups.

Maryland scopes out the utility of the future

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:19:12 PST

The Energy Future Coalition and the state of Maryland have issued the first report from their Utility 2.0 project on what should be considered in the development of utilities of the future. It offers specifics on key issues, from reliability and grid modernization to customer choice and regulatory changes.

SGN Featured Training Partner: Modern Grid Solutions

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:24:18 PST

Looking for a deeper understanding of the smart grid? Subject matter experts at Modern Grid Solutions offer introductory smart grid courses online for electric utility personnel, utility executives as well as non-utility personnel and executives. Click for course descriptions and registration information.

"Big Data" challenges for the grid: EPRI survey results and analysis

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:42:41 PST

Managing the massive amounts of data smart grids make possible isn't the biggest hurdle for utilities, according to the results of an Electric Power Research Institute survey. The really big issue is how to wring quantifiable value out of it.

Why Scotland may be the smart grid's next center of gravity

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:26:54 PST

Scotland has been extremely aggressive in its initiatives to develop a thoroughly optimized smart grid and as much renewable energy as possible. Now the country has its own world-class research center that will tackle transmission line loss and other challenging issues.

Siemens to Europe: You're about to waste 45 billion euros!

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:21:13 PST

Europe has been aggressively developing renewable energy resources, but a study by Siemens and a German technical university found that poor choices have been made in siting renewable energy projects. The result? A tremendous waste of money. Read the story for details on what Siemens recommends to remedy the problem.

Smart Grid Events and Smart Grid Conferences

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:30:45 PST

Industry events and conferences can help you stay on top of industry trends and technologies and make important contacts. Our calendar is loaded with upcoming events, with links for further details. And be sure to jump to page 2, where you can see the conferences Smart Grid News Chief Analyst Jesse Berst will be attending.

GridSTAR project in Philly a hub for workforce training, testing, research

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:06:01 PST

The Navy Yard in Philadelphia will house what's described as a groundbreaking demonstration project for the smart grid and net zero energy buildings. Organizers say the GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Structure will serve as a valuable hub for workforce training, building performance testing, energy management research and smart microgrid modernization deployments.

Clean job index puts the spotlight on solar

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:06:18 PST

The U.S. had nearly 750,000 clean job openings in the first quarter of 2013, according to a report from Denver-based Ecotech Institute, a college that trains students for solar, wind and renewable energy jobs. The Institute says more than 8,000 of those jobs were in solar. See where else the report found gains.

Smart grid capital spending up, but operations and maintenance budgets threatened

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:14:12 PST

A preview of a utility smart grid investments and infrastructure spending survey released by Newton-Evans finds that utility spending is up in areas like transmission and distribution automation, but flat or lower in operations and maintenance.