News

Opower and Honeywell have partnered to create the Energy Management Platform, which seeks to provide homeowners with tools to increase their energy efficiency through demand response and integrated efficiency programs with utilities. Participation in the program would mean 220 megawatts of peak shed capacity for utilities. SmartGrid News reports:

With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the east coast, Greentech Media explores how smart grid technology could help limit power outages. Distribution automation and smart meters are two such technologies that can help identify outages more quickly or minimize their spread. Although smart grid technology can’t singlehandedly alter the outcome of a storm– traditional preparations such as preparing crews are still critical – but many east coast utilities are better prepared for Sandy thanks to smart grid investments made in the wake of Hurricane Irene.  

Electric utilities have long been the vehicle for implementing energy efficiency programs.  This is only logical: They deliver electricity, track usage, and communicate with the consumer on a monthly basis.  Utilities are best positioned to identify inefficiencies as well as cost-effective investments for greater energy efficiency.

Tesla Motors has been building several "Supercharger" solar battery-charging stations across California. The stations will allow Model S drivers to plug in and charge for free "indefinitely." Using SolarCity technology, the six existing stations can charge a Model S with 100 kilowatts in a half hour. GigaOM reports:

Tesla Motors has been building several "Supercharger" solar battery-charging stations across California. The stations will allow Model S drivers to plug in and charge for free "indefinitely." Using SolarCity technology, the six existing stations can charge a Model S with 100 kilowatts in a half hour. GigaOM reports:

Net metering simply refers to the ability of a meter to “spin backwards” when a customer with an on-site fuel cell or solar PV system is generating power and putting it into the electricity grid. When they draw power from the grid, the meter goes forward again – in this way, the customer is charged only for the “net” power they take from their utility, over and above the amount they deliver to the grid.

In November Chicago residents will determine whether or not the city will be able to negotiate for energy with non-utility alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) for residential energy consumers. Although the measure could save consumers money and advance the Illinois energy market, the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) ensures "aggregation in Illinois has little chance of driving new construction of wind or solar power."