Saturday, November 12, 2011

This 5 types of energy consumers are impacting smart grid growth

1) This 5 types of energy consumers are impacting smart grid growth
Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) recently conducted telephone survey of 1200 US resident to understand the customer segmentation.  With the increase of Smart Meters and Smart Grid installation, it has become essential for utilities to understand their behavior so they can target the customer for their active participation in demand side energy management. According to SGCC, the whole group fall in five broad categories; 1) Concerned Green (31%), 2) Young America(23%),  3) Easy Street (20%), 4) DIY & Save (16%) and 5) Traditional(11%).

2) Jeju Smart Grid Pilot celebrates 2nd Anniversary
Jeju (South Korea) Smart Grid Pilot commemorated 2nd anniversary of the project by hosting a two-day event, which was attended by experts from Japan, China, and Denmark.  "The second commemoration is meaningful because we established a stronger bond with leading Smart Grid testing cities in Korea, China, and Japan,” said  Jang Won-Guk, Director of Jeju Technopark Digital Convergence Center.  Dr. Suzuki of Nagasaki EV & ITS was so impressed with the Smart Grid development in Jeju  island that he expressed keen interest of forging partnership between Nagasaki and Jeju.


3) Renewable Energy Transforming Power Grids
Speakers of Clean Energy expo Asia expressed that companies across the world are facing steep learning curve when it comes to adapting the Grid for future energy scenario especially for mixing the volatile  renewable energy. Dr Wojszczyk, global director of GE smart grid technologies section said, " Another major issue with integrating wind power into electricity grids is the limited operating capacity of wind turbines, which on average generate only 40 per cent of their maximum capacity. Transmission lines need to be built for full capacity, and grid operators need to justify their investment in the infrastructure".

4) South Korea passes smart grid network law
President Lee Myung Bak passed the legislation in a cabinet meeting today for electric-car recharging services and power distributors who will be adopting smart grid network according to ministry of knowledge and economy, thus making it a first country in the world to have smart grid law. The law will come into effect from November 25th. South Korea has pledged to reduce carbon emission by 30% from the current level by the year 2020. The fourth largest Asian economy is going to spend around $24 billion in smart grid technologies by 2030. 


5) Energy revolution necessary to meet Europe's 2050 low carbon economy
A recent report published by Oracle suggests that to achieve Europe's 2050 vision of low carbon economy, which envisions of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 80 -95% of pre 1990 level , Smart Grid development is necessary. Smart Grid will enhance energy efficiency and help manage demand side management , as well as integrated renewable and variable energy sources, thus playing critical role in achieving the goals. In 2007, European Council committed to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 20%,  increase renewable energy share by 20%, and increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. The 20:20:20  goals are the first step towards the larger vision of 2050. 

Saturday, November 5, 2011

What's up at Smart Energy International India, 2011

Smart Energy India- the premier energy conference in India, which echos the development of Smart Grid is all set to debut on November 14th, 2011 with a theme "Today's inter-operable solution for tomorrow's integrated grid." According to organizers, "Smart Energy International - India forms part of a global series of events that provides one of the most effective experiential forums available to the electricity utilities industry. Events take place in Australia, Middle East, USA, Canada, Asia and now India. They are an asset that presents you to international markets by connecting global buyers to sellers and people to people in the connected future worldwide! The conference presents Smart Energy India and World Meter Design Congress, which—together with the pre-conference on Smart Cities-will form a unique gathering of international and national experts and market leaders." 

The premier event will be attended by who's who of the industry including Sam Pitroda, adivsor to Prime Minister and convener, Smart Grid India Forum.  The two keynote speakers will present their views on following topics.

 India: Technological advancements and future goals
 By Honorable Mr. P. Umashankar, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India

Interoperability: Tomorrow’s answer today
Mr. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Convener, The Smart Grid India Forum

   Featured Speakers
  • Mr. G. V. Balram, Chief General Manager, BESCOM
  • Mr. R. K. Goyal, Principal Consultant, Tetratech
  • Dr. M. V. Krishna Rao, Director, GECE
  • Mr. Harsh Sharma, Vice President - Meters, BSES
  • Dr. Rahul Tongia, Director, C-Step
   Key Sessions
  • The current state of the Indian Grid – an insight into the transmission and distribution scenarios
  • Green Power - Renewable energy Integration in the Smart Grid
  • Interoperability in the smart grid – an introduction
  • ICT for Smart Distribution Systems – an introduction
  • Smart consumer policies for a smarter grid

Apart from the above key highlights, the additional and probably the most exciting thing this year has is Smart Grid technical study tour which will visit Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore providing participants a broader insights of Smart Energy opportunities in India. India intends to provide electricity to every household by 2012, which will require over $100 billion investment in new transmission , distribution, and other related infrastructure representing huge opportunity for investors, companies, and other stakeholders. 

For more program details, use the following links