National
Energy Market News
1. Expectations
for 2010 - The latest Wall Street Journal survey of economists
presents some pretty interesting conclusions. It is predicted that unemployment
will stay in the 9.5% to 10.3% range for the next year although on average it
is expected that the economy will add about 50,000 jobs a month in 2010
(100,000 a month is what is required to keep pace with the growth of the
working population). It is also assumed that the GDP growth will be around 3%
for the year, a bit slower than what was registered in the third quarter of
this year. The most interesting conclusion is that interest rates will likely
increase in the latter part of 2010 – right about the time of the elections.
This will end up being a factor in some races. The Fed is not all that
concerned with the reaction of politicians and will likely act in whatever way
they deem appropriate. The sense is that inflation will have started to become
an issue by that point and the Fed will have little choice but to act. 11/13 http://www.strategic-briefs.com
2.
2010 Market Planning Guide - Sales of electrical products through electrical
distributors will increase by approximately $2.2 billion next year. This
forecast puts U.S. sales for 2010 at $77.5 billion, a 2.9-percent increase from
our 2009 estimate of $75.3 billion, (a level of sales last seen in 2005). That
2009 sales figure is a 14.4 percent drop from 2008, one of the largest one-year
decreases in industry history. While 2010 should be an improvement over this
year, it's going to be a tough climb to what may very well be a solid growth
environment in 2011 http://ewweb.com/market_planning/guide/2010/guide/
3. Secretary Chu Announces $620 Million for Smart Grid Demonstration and
Energy Storage Projects – The DOE 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 ARRAct 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.
http://tdworld.com/smart_grid_automation/doe-smart-grid-storage-funding-1109/
4. AEE
Announces AEE Market Research www.aeemarketresearch.org - A series of
market research reports supporting market development and strategic planning
for those engaged in the energy business. These reports provide market
assessments and forecasts, identification of market opportunities, discussions
of trends, profiles of key players, and the most current market data.
5. Wave
of Debt Payments Facing U.S. Government - Treasury
officials now face a trifecta of headaches: a mountain of new debt, a balloon
of short-term borrowings that come due in the months ahead, and interest rates
that are sure to climb back to normal as soon as the Federal Reserve decides that the
emergency has passed. With the national debt now topping $12 trillion, the
White House estimates that the government’s tab for servicing the debt will
exceed $700 billion a year in 2019, up from $202 billion this year, even if
annual budget deficits shrink drastically. Other forecasters say the figure
could be much higher. In concrete terms, an additional $500 billion a year in
interest expense would total more than the combined federal budgets this year
for education, energy, homeland security and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
11/23 NY Times
6.
Green Building Boosts
U.S. Economy - Green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and
push $554 billion into the American economy, including $396 billion in wages,
from 2009 to 2013, according to a study from the U.S. Green Building Council
and Booz Allen Hamilton. The study also found that green construction spending
currently supports more than 2 million American jobs and generates more than
$100 billion in gross domestic product and wages. 11/13 HCN http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1954
7. LED
Bulbs Save Substantial Energy, a Study Finds - The study results
conducted by Osram show that over the entire life of the bulb — from manufacturing
to disposal — the energy used for incandescent bulbs is almost five
times that used for compact fluorescents and LED lamps. The energy used
during the manufacturing phase of all lamps is insignificant — less than
2 percent of the total. Given that both compact fluorescents and LEDs
use about 20 percent of the electricity needed to create the same amount
of light as a standard incandescent, both lighting technologies put
incandescents to shame. 11/30 NY Times
8. DOE
Publishes Detailed Results from Round 9 of CALiPER Testing - The U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) has published the detailed test reports from Round 9
of product testing conducted through the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER
program. Detailed results from Round 9, covering recessed downlights, linear
replacement lamps, smaller replacement lamps, and a desk lamp, are now
available through the online CALiPER system: www.ssl.energy.gov/search.html
9. DOE Publishes the Latest Round of LED Test Results - The Commercially
Available LED Product Evaluation and Reporting (CALiPER) program is available which provides an ongoing series of
“snapshots” of solid-state lighting (SSL) technology progress and trends. The Round
9 Summary Report includes test results for
recessed downlights, 2’x2’ troffers and flat-panel luminaires, 4’ linear
replacement lamps, and small replacement lamps. Just as in previous rounds of
testing, Round 9 products exhibited a wide range of performance, with a number
of underperforming products and inaccurate performance claims. Most notably, the results for CALiPER Round 9 show that
for applications like downlights and 2’x2’ troffers, many SSL products are now
clearly competitive with incumbent technologies. Postings from Jim Brodrick postings@lightingfacts.com
10. DOE Releases
GATEWAY Report on LED Freezer Case Lighting - The DOE has
published the final report from a demonstration retrofit of light-emitting diode
(LED) freezer case lighting in an Albertsons Grocery store in Eugene, Oregon.
This GATEWAY demonstration report provides an overview of project results
including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy
savings. The report is available for download at www.ssl.energy.gov/gatewaydemos_results.html
To learn more about the DOE GATEWAY program: www.ssl.energy.gov/gatewaydemos.html
11. Small Replacement
Lamps Tested in Caliper Round 9 Showed a Wide Range of
Results - That’s why it’s so important to know how to evaluate LED
replacements for incandescent lamps and compare them to the incumbent products.
To help people do just that, DOE recently added a new technology fact sheet, LED
Replacements for Incandescent Omnidirectional Lamps, http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/led_replacements.pdf
to its ever-growing library of online resources. Based on DOE CALiPER benchmark testing and analysis of manufacturer
data, it notes that the light output of these replacement products has been
steadily increasing and, in some cases, now rivals that of 40W incandescent
lamps, and that their luminous efficacy is as much as five times greater than
their incandescent counterparts. But it also draws attention to a number of
red-flag issues, including huge variability in performance, unreliable
manufacturer claims, poor color quality, variations in light output and
distribution, high initial cost, and incompatible form factors. Postings from Jim Brodrick postings@lightingfacts.com
12.
Finding the Right Template
by Craig DiLouie -
Earlier this year, the US Department of Energy (DOE) launched Commercial
Lighting Solutions, an interactive Web tool that provides lighting templates,
supported by construction documents, that can help commercial building owners
achieve desirable lighting quality while improving lighting efficiency by at
least 30 percent over the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 energy standard. Part of DOE’s
Commercial Building Energy Alliances—private-public forums aimed at
significantly reducing energy use in various vertical building
markets—Commercial Lighting Solutions seeks to stimulate adoption of advanced
lighting technologies and design practices by making them available to anyone
who specifies lighting, such as electrical contractors, designers, owners,
distributors and other industry professionals. 11/’09 http://www.ecmag.com/?fa=article&articleID=10848
13.
LED Controls: 15 Examples of LED
Lighting Control in Action Edited by Craig
DiLouie - This whitepaper explores 15 examples of LED lighting in
application, with a brief description of the controls strategy used to achieve
the desired results.
http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers/2009/2009_LED_controls.shtml
14.
Emerging Lighting Technologies
and Global Market (2009-2014) - The global
emerging lighting technologies market is expected to be worth US$109.2 billion
by 2014, growing at an estimated CAGR of 8.1% from 2009 to 2014. Fluorescent
lighting forms the largest market segment; and is expected to reach US$82.6
billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 7.9% for the same period. North America is the
largest emerging lighting market; and is expected to be worth US$42.8 billion
by 2014, accounting for nearly 39% of the total revenues. Europe is the second
largest segment and is expected to reach US$36.9 billion by 2014. However, Asia
is the fastest growing market and is poised for a high growth of 8.9% for the
next five years. This report aims to identify and analyze emerging lighting products
according to product, application, and technology. The report provides in-depth
market estimates and forecasts for global emerging lighting markets and can be
ordered at: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/2cbb40/emerging_lighting_technologies_and_global_mar
15.
Construction Market Forecast Calls for 11% Jump in 2010
- Gains in housing and public works will offset declines in
commercial and manufacturing building — that was the big news coming out of
McGraw-Hill Construction’s 71st annual Outlook 2010 Executive Conference held
in mid-October in Washington, D.C. In its “2010 Construction Outlook,” McGraw
Hill analysts forecast an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next
year. Due to improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader
expansion for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is
expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted
for 2009. 11/09 http://ecmweb.com/market_trends/construction-market-forecast-20091109/
16. Recovery
Through Retrofit - By implementing
the Recovery Through Retrofit Report recommendations, the Federal Government
will lay the groundwork for a self-sustaining home energy efficiency retrofit
industry. This Report provides a roadmap of how the Federal Government can use
existing authorities and funds to unlock private capital and mobilize our
communities. http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf
17. Appliance Rebate Program a Mixed Blessing, Says NPD - The major appliance market is looking to the Energy Star
Efficient Appliance Rebate Program to boost falling sales, but timing and a
lack of consistency from state to state may be an issue, according to Mark
Delaney, NPD Group’s http://www.npd.com
point person on major appliances and home
improvement. Delaney told HCN that the launching of the program, which is set
to begin sometime between early December and January, the heart of the holiday
season, might be a hindrance. He said that the program will be difficult for
national retailers to asses, since the parameters, rebate allotments, as well
as what makes/models will qualify will vary from state to state. 11/12 HCN
18.
Climate Bill Stalled for Now - The Senate has now
made it clear that there will be no action on climate change in this session. The
bill that had managed to work through the House will not be taken up by the
Senate until sometime next year and given the political realities of an election
year, the bill stands little chance of seeing the light of day. Many of the Democrats
from industrial states were opposed as they did not appreciate the pressure it
would be putting on their business community. The potential loss of jobs would
be significant and in areas that can ill afford any more losses. The opposition
in the Senate is even more aggressive and it looks certain that any version of
the bill will be dramatically altered. http://www.strategic-briefs.com
19.
Proposed Rules FTC16 CFR Part 305 [RIN 3084-AB03] Appliance
Labeling Rule - Notice of proposed rulemaking; request
for public comment. Written comments must be received on or before December
28, 2009. SUMMARY: Section 321 of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 requires the Commission to conduct a rulemaking to
consider the effectiveness of current labeling requirements for lamps (commonly
referred to as ‘‘lightbulbs’’) and to consider alternative labeling approaches.
After reviewing public comments and consumer research, the Commission seeks comments
on proposed changes to the existing labeling requirements for lamp products.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for this
new label may be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27036.pdf
20. DOE to Fund
Innovative OLED Lighting Developed by DuPont - DuPont
has been awarded a $2.25 million grant for a two-year project to develop a
solid-state lighting (SSL) source using low-cost OLED solution-processing
manufacturing techniques. 11/25 EC&M
21. Konica Minolta
Eyes $1 Billion in OLED Lighting Sales - Japan's Konica
Minolta Holdings Inc said it will launch advanced lighting equipment based on
organic light-emitting diode technology by March 2011 and targets annual sales
of more than $1.1 billion by 2017. OLED lighting, which uses organic or
carbon-containing compounds that emit light when electricity is applied, is a
promising next-generation lighting fixture as it is light, thin and bendable,
and unlike fluorescent lamps is also mercury-free. http://www.konicaminolta.com/about/research/oled/index.html
11/13 Reuters
22.
A Brighter Idea from Philips - Sales of LEDs last year were about $2 billion, or less
than 3% of global spending on lights. Philips is aware that, before long, the
cost of LED technology will plunge, as it did for semiconductors 20 years ago. So
even as Philips stakes its future on LEDs, it's working hard to prepare for the
technology's commoditization. In the past five years, Philips has spent $5
billion on acquisitions to ensure it controls every link in the LED chain. It
aims not only to manufacture the chips, fixtures, and digital controls for the
next-generation technology but also to combine all that into sophisticated
systems for such customers as city governments and large corporations. The
recession has been hard on Philips Lighting. In the third quarter, sales were
down 13%, to $2.5 billion, and operating profit fell 29%, to $60 million. Even
so, Philips is pouring 5% of sales into LED research. LEDs were nearly 10% of
the unit's $10.5 billion in sales last year, and is expected to hit 80% by
2020, when the global LED market could be $95 billion. Competition will be
fierce. Siemens' Osram, General Electric, Sharp, Samsung, and Cree are all
moving into LEDs, although none has made as big a bet as Philips. 11/19 Business Week http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_48/b4157065828885.htm
23. 
Time Magazine Lauds Philips’ LED as One of the “Best
Inventions of 2009 - Philips
Electronics announced on Nov. 13 that its recently revealed LED replacement for
the common household bulb was named one of the “best inventions of 2009″
by TIME magazine. Under the heading “The $10 Million Lightbulb,” the
editors declared “with the flick of a switch, Philips Electronics may have just
dramatically lowered America’s electric bill,” noting “Philips’ LED bulb emits
the same amount of light as its incandescent equivalent but uses less than 10W
and lasts for 25,000 hours — or 25 times as long.” More important to the
electrical industry is the fact that this lamps it the first entrant into the
Department of Energy’s Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition,
which offers a $10 million prize. 11/13 http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com
24. Philips
Lighting Introduces New Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps -
Philips Lighting proudly announces the
introduction of its new family of Energy Advantage ceramic metal halide lamps
featuring exclusive AllStart Technology. A direct retrofit lamp to both probe
start and pulse start metal halide ballasts, the new lamps provide universal
operation regardless of orientation without compromising light quality and make
installation and maintenance easier than ever.
State Energy Market News
25. Utilities Unite to Offer Energy Saving Incentives -
Eleven Michigan utilities have joined together under the Michigan Public
Service Commission to form Efficiency United, a consortium introducing energy
optimization programs and incentives to their subscribers. The utilities
include Alpena Power, Bayfield Electric Cooperative, Daggett Electric
Department, Edison Sault Electric Company, Indiana Michigan Power, Xcel Energy,
Upper Peninsula Power Company, WE Energies, Wisconsin Public Service Corp.,
Michigan Gas Utilities, and SEMCO Energy Gas Company. Programs include an
Energy Efficiency Assistance Program which includes installation of
energy-efficient measures for income- qualified subscribers, an online home
energy audit, a residential HVAC rebate program, and a program to assist
commercial and industrial customers to install energy-efficient equipment. For
qualifying customers, rebates are available on items such as "smart strips,"
CFL bulbs, washers and water heaters. These programs are in addition to the
federal tax incentive programs currently running. www.efficiencyunited.com 11/30 PRNewswire
26.
National Grid Wants to Triple Energy Efficiency Programs - National
Grid submitted a proposal to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
to expand its energy efficiency programs by a factor of three between 2010 and
2012. The energy retailer says that its plan would reduce energy use 2 percent
by 2012 and help customers save $2 billion over the life of energy efficiency
measures that are implemented. National Grid wants to expand its electricity
energy efficiency programs from the current $85 million to about $570 million
in the three-year period between 2010 and 2012. Natural gas energy efficiency
programs would go from $20 million now to nearly $200 million over those three
years. To support the programs, the typical residential customer using 500 kWh
per month would see a $1.15 monthly increase, while natural gas customers using
82 therms a month would see a monthly hike of $3.25. 11/10 Environmental Leader
27. Saint Peter's
College NJ to be Powered by 100 Percent Renewable Energy - Effective
beginning January 1, 2010, the electricity purchased for all buildings on the
Saint Peter’s College Jersey City, NJ campus will be 100 percent
renewable energy for a minimum of one year. ConEdison Solutions of White
Plains, N.Y., will supply the Jersey City campus with clean and renewable wind
power. In addition to working with ConEdison Solutions on its renewable
supply, Saint Peter’s also worked with R3 Energy of Tarrytown, N.Y., an advisor
on intelligent energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to various
institutions. http://www.sustainablefacility.com
28. Central Hudson Offers Energy Efficiency Incentives to
Mid-sized Businesses - Mid-sized businesses in the Hudson Valley
may now qualify for the Central Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY SavingsCentral energy
efficiency programs. Mid-sized businesses with monthly electric demands
between 100 and 350 kilowatts, which typically include many hotels and motels,
restaurants, grocery stores, colleges and larger municipal facilities, are
eligible. Eligible businesses will receive an on-site energy assessment of
their facilities at no charge, and are provided a report outlining suggested
electric energy efficiency improvements, such as lighting and motor upgrades;
high-efficiency electric heating and cooling systems, including ground-source
heat pumps; and other custom measures. The $2.4 million Mid-Size Business
Program is funded by the Systems Benefit Charge through 2011, and is projected
to save more than 5,500 megawatt-hours of electricity. To learn more about
available programs: www.SavingsCentral.com
29. Con Edison
Gets Another $45M In Stimulus Money - Consolidated Edison Inc. said
Wednesday it will get another $45 million in federal stimulus money to improve
the electricity grid in the New York area. The money is in addition to the
$136 million in stimulus funds Con Ed said it was awarded in October. The
grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will be used to test and develop
technologies to create a "smart grid" that uses computers and
communication technology to optimize how electricity is generated, transmitted,
distributed and used. 11/25 AP
30. Governor Rendell Announces $22 Million Investment in
Energy Conservation Projects -Conservation Works! is a $22
million competitive grant program, funded through the ARRAct, to help local
government and non-profit organizations improve energy efficiency, curb energy
consumption and reduce energy costs by at least 25 percent. Conservation Works!
provides grants of up to $250,000 to individual local government and non-profit
entities and $500,000 for combined government projects to conserve or reduce
energy use. The program covers Pennsylvania boroughs, townships and cities with
fewer than 35,000 residents and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents,
municipalities not eligible for direct formula grants from the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. More than $15.3 million will
be distributed to local governments, with the remainder going to non-profit
organizations. All projects must create jobs, be able to start work within six
months and be completed prior to May 31, 2011. www.recovery.pa.gov
31. Baltimore Stadiums
to Become More Energy Efficient - Maryland's Board of Public Works
approved $12.2 million on Wednesday to make M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole
Park at Camden Yards more energy efficient. The stadiums and
warehouse office building will get high-efficiency light bulbs. Heating,
cooling, sewer and air conditioning systems will be retrofitted. 11/20 AP
32. Dominion Virginia Power CFL Bulb Instant Discount Program
Saves Enough Energy Thus Far to Power 72,000 Homes - Dominion
estimates the nearly 3.8 million CFLs have been purchased through the program
since October 2007. Dominion provides a $1.50 discount on an ENERGY STAR® -qualified CFL bulb and $3 on multi-packs
purchased at The Home Depot stores in its Virginia service area. http://www.dom.com/about/av-clips/2009/cfl_program.jpg
The current program will end Dec. 31 but Dominion is planning an expanded CFL
program next year as part of its energy conservation plan pending before the
Virginia State Corporation Commission. Additional information on Dominion's CFL
discount program is available by visiting the company's Web site at www.dom.com and searching for "CFL".
33. LED
Lighting Brightens Holiday Season with Energy Savings -
Through sponsorship of a lighting exchange at Lincoln Park Zoo and a number of
festivals across northern Illinois, ComEd is encouraging customers to adopt
energy-saving habits that help them save money. LED holiday lights can pay for
themselves in four to five years as a result of electricity savings and use up
to 90 percent less energy than traditional light strands. ComEd hosted an
energy efficient holiday lighting exchange on Nov. 27 at Lincoln Park Zoo's
annual ZooLights festival. In addition to the LED lighting exchange and
discounts, ComEd continues its tradition of hosting local holiday festivals for
families to enjoy including:
R
ComEd Festival of Trees at the historic Rialto Theater in Joliet www.rialtosquare.com
R
Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express www.chicagobotanic.org
R
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic www.comed.com
ComEd's environmental initiatives are part of parent
company Exelon to reduce, offset, or displace more than 15 million metric tons
of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020. 11/25 PRNewswire
34. Kansas Launching Energy Efficiency Loan Program - Kansas
officials are preparing to launch an energy efficiency loan program financed
with federal stimulus dollars. The
State Energy Office will administer the program, which will use $34 million in
federal funds to make low-cost loans to homeowners and small businesses. The
loans are to be used to make energy efficiency improvements. 11/13 AP
35.
OG&E Officials Resist
Using LED Streetlights Downtown - Officials with Oklahoma Gas
& Electric helped introduce Oklahoma City to LED lighting a couple of years
ago with the installation of LED lights along the Oklahoma River and as
replacement Christmas lights at the Myriad Gardens. But the utility is reluctant
to see LED streetlights introduced downtown. Tim Hartley, spokesman for
OG&E, estimates the cost of an LED light at $2,000 per fixture compared
with $200 for the fixtures used today. "The technology in play
here with LED lights is not proven and doesn't have a track record with
streetlight use," Hartley said. 11/08 The Daily Oklahoman
36. Marriott, TXU
Energy Ink Green Deal - More than 40 Marriott hotels throughout Texas
are doing their part to help the Texas environment. TXU Energy recently
conducted energy audits at several large Marriott properties in the state. The
audits were part of Marriott extending its electric service agreement with TXU
Energy through 2013. Recommendations in the audits included
upgrading control systems and switching out CFL bulbs. Each recommendation has
the potential to save money even beyond the term of the electric service
agreement. In addition, once energy efficiency measures are implemented, the
hotel chain will receive rebates under TXU Energy's Energy Efficiency Rebate
Program. 11/16 BUSINESS WIRE
37. Xcel's
"Lights Out Lunch" Offers Perks - Energy is
asking people to turn out their lights at lunch Dec. 11.While the "Lights
Out Lunch" statewide program is designed to promote energy efficiency and
the purchase of compact fluorescent bulbs, it also comes with dining perks. Those
who sign up for the noon to 1 p.m. blackout will receive a discount coupon good
for lunch that day at participating restaurants. 11/17 Denver Post
38. Reno Arch Going Green with LED Bulbs - City
officials will hold a ceremony Tuesday to mark the replacement of the downtown
landmark's incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient LED bulbs. The arch, which proclaims Reno, NV as
"The Biggest Little City in the World," has 2,076 incandescent bulbs. The project is part of the city's $20
million energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative. 11/13 AP
39. Audit: Calif. Slow to Spend Energy-Saving Stimulus - A
new audit says the California Energy Commission isn't moving quickly enough to
spend $40 million in federal stimulus money for energy-related projects. In a report issued Tuesday, state
Auditor Elaine Howle says the commission has not spent any of the money, even
though it has reached deals with other state agencies to retrofit government
buildings and provide green job training. Howle
warns that the commission also lacks internal controls to track the money.
12/01 AP
Special Monthly Feature: Smart Grid
- http://www.oe.energy.gov/smartgrid.htm
The 2009 Stimulus Package Has
Reserved $4.5 Billion for Smart Grid Spending - The electric grid delivers electricity from points of
generation to consumers, and the electricity delivery network functions via two
primary systems: the transmission system and the distribution system. The
transmission system delivers electricity from power plants to distribution
substations, while the distribution system delivers electricity from
distribution substations to consumers. The grid also encompasses myriads of
local area networks that use distributed energy resources to serve local loads
and/or to meet specific application requirements for remote power, village or
district power, premium power, and critical loads protection.
“ The Smart Grid: An Introduction”
is a publication sponsored by DOE’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability that explores - in layman’s terms – the nature, challenges,
opportunities and necessity of Smart Grid implementation. Additional
books, released in 2009, target the interests of specific stakeholder groups: Consumer Advocates, Utilities, Technology Providers, Regulators, Policy Makers and Environmental Groups, to explain in greater
detail what the Smart Grid will mean to us.
DOE is conducting a series of Smart Grid E-Forums to discuss
various issues surrounding Smart Grid including costs, benefits, value proposition to
consumers, implementation, and deployment.
The Federal Smart Grid Task
Force was recently established under Title XIII of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 to coordinate smart grid activities across the Federal
government.
Grid
2030 vision (PDF 1.1 MB) calls for the construction of a 21st century
electric system that connects everyone to abundant, affordable, clean,
efficient, and reliable electric power anytime, anywhere. We can achieve this
through a smart grid, which would integrate advanced functions into the
nation's electric grid to enhance reliability, efficiency, and security, and
would also contribute to the climate
change strategic goal of reducing carbon emissions. These advancements will
be achieved by modernizing the electric grid with information-age technologies,
such as microprocessors, communications, advanced computing, and information
technologies.
Electric grid stakeholders representing
utilities, technology providers, researchers, policymakers, and consumers have
worked together to define the functions of a smart grid. Through regional
meetings convened under the Modern
Grid Strategy project of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL),
these stakeholders have identified the following characteristics or performance
features of a smart grid:
- Self-healing
from power disturbance events
- Enabling active
participation by consumers in demand response
- Operating
resiliently against physical and cyber attack
- Providing power
quality for 21st century needs
- Accommodating
all generation and storage options
- Enabling new
products, services, and markets
- Optimizing
assets and operating efficiently
