NPR examines the Smart Grid
NPR’s Morning Edition has been looking at the future of the grid recently in a new 10-part series called “Power Hungry: Reinventing the US Electric Grid.” They also developed some cool web-specific content on the topic, like this interactive map of the US that shows existing and planned transmission lines, power plants, and renewable capacity. While the whole series is worth checking out, here are the must-listen “episodes” if you’re interested in the smart grid:
Episode 1, “An Aged Electric Grid Looks to a Brighter Future,” looks at the reliability challenges facing the grid in the near future and how advanced metering and the smart grid applications that sit on top of this new infrastructure will help avoid blackouts, deploy renewables, and further energy efficiency.
[Gridpoint storage unit in an Xcel Colorado customer's home]
Episode 2, “A Green Challenge: Make Renewables Reliable,” examines the role storage may play in facilitating the integration of renewable resources, like wind farms. American Electric Power’s wind storage project, Beacon Power’s “flywheel” storage technology, and Gridpoint’s software platform are all profiled.
[Illustration of Beacon Power's Flywheel technology]
Episode 4, “Smart Meter Saves Big Bucks for Pennsylvania Family,” puts a real-life face on something that studies have repeatedly shown - visibility into energy consumption leads to increased efficiency. PA-resident Tammy Yeakel discusses how she can’t get enough of her utility’s website that marries near-real time energy data with tips on how to save: “For Christmas, we got one of those nice digital pictures. And everyone says ‘Why don’t you leave it on?’ Cause it’s an energy sucker, right? I learned that on the Web site.”
[Tammy Yeakel looking at her meter data through PPL's website]
Episode 6, “The Grid May Be Smart, But Will It Also Be Green?” discusses how meters themselves are only one part of the smart grid and that the “applications” that sit on top of this new infrastructure play an equally important role in achieving the desired results. For example, smart meters allow for more time-of-use rates, but these rates typically encourage consumption at “off-peak” times, which in some regions that can mean increased reliance on dirty coal power plants.
[Wind turbines near Wilson, Kansas]
EnerBLOG is a moderated blog and in accordance with the Terms of Use of this website, EnerNOC, Inc. reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to review, delete or remove (without notice) any posts. All comments are initially held for moderation and will appear only after the moderator has published them.
Leave a comment