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. 

Smart Grid development in Asian countries Japan and Korea

In our continuous serious of profiling the Smart Grid development in the world, we are covering Asian powerhouse Japan and Korea in this segment


Japan: The largest Asian and the third largest economy in the world is gearing up itself to transform into low-carbon economy by adopting Smart Grid technologies. Japan has set aggressive target to cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) . The Prime Minister of Japan has committed to reduce carbon emission by 25% to pre-1990 level by 2020. In 2010, Japan invested around $849 million in Smart Grid becoming the third highest Smart Grid investment making country in the world. The government also has plan to install smart meters across the country by 2020. Just like any other country, Japan has its own priority for investing in Smart Grids. The country has reliable grid and is not planning to overhaul the grid infrastructure, its priority is to reduce carbon emission by investing in renewable energy and integrating it into the grid. Japan's core objectives are: 1) Generate more renewable energy; use it effectively by programs like demand response. 2). Develop EV charging infrastructure at parking lots, 3) Develop new services using ICT and Smart Metering technologies.

Key Developments

• Three Smart Grid projects, 1) Remote Island Smart Grid Project 2) Smart Charge Project and 3) Smart House Project are being developed as part of the prototype for Community Grid System by Ministry of   Economy Trade and Industry (METI).
• Under the aegis of Japan Smart Community Alliance, four working groups viz. 1) International Strategy Working Group, 2) International Standardization Working Group, 3) Roadmap Working Group, 4) Smart Housing Working Group have been established.
• Four Cities, Toyota City, Kansai Science City, Yokohama, and Kitakyushu have pledged to reduce carbon emission up to 40% by 2030 using Smart Grid technologies.
• Toyota, Japan Wind Development Co, Hitachi, and Panasonic Electric Works are working on Smart Grid pilot project at Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture to test the grid that is completely CO2 free and dependent only on renewable energy.
• The Smart Networks Project is aimed at developing common communications standards for Smart Grid, networked Home Appliances, and Electric Vehicles. NTT DoCoMo, NEC, Sekisui House, and NAMCO BANDAI Games are key participant for this project.

Republic of Korea (South Korea): When it comes to technology, South Korea is matching step by step with its western counterparts. The Korean government plans to invest $24 billion (27.5 trillion won) by 2030 to build Smart Grid across the nation. Korea is one of the top 5 OECD oil importer and one of the fastest growing carbon polluter in the world. However, it has made strong commitment towards environment; it is planning to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 41 million ton and oil imports by 300 million ton by 2030 through Smart Grid Initiatives. The Korean Smart Grid is a comprehensive program which includes Smart Power Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Renewables, Smart Electricity Services, and Smart Consumers.

                                  Korea Smart Grid Vision

Key Developments

• The Government has launched $ 65 million Smart Grid pilot project at Jeju island along with major industry players like LG, SK telecom, and KT. The project will test integrated Smart Grid for 6000 households, wind power and four different power lines and will be completed by 2013.
• The Government of Korea and  State of Illinois, USA have inked a packet to jointly test and develop Smart Grid technologies. The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, other local centers from Korea,Argonne National Laboratory, and Chicago University from USA will work together. 
• Established Organization like Smart Grid Korea Association , Korea Smart Grid Institute
•  Through National Power IT, South Korea is focusing on 10 development objectives, which will an intelligent and environment friendly electric and energy systems.
• The country  plans to invest  approximately $24 billion ($18 billion on Smart Grid Infrastructure and $6 billion on Smart Grid ) by 2030 to achieve vision established in the Smart Grid Roadmap.

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