My favorite among many good observations by Margaret Harding:
“The initiative known as SmartGrid is probably going to impact our country almost as much as the original electrification efforts of the early 20th century. Ironically, if it succeeds, most of us will perceive little change to their daily relationship with electricity. Plug in an appliance and electricity will flow. BUT, these changes will ensure that flow is reliable, clean and safe. AND that the new plug-in electric vehicle in the garage is ready to go whenever and where ever the proud new owner chooses to take it. The air will be a little cleaner, and no warmer than it was at the start of this project.”
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Written by Steve Collier | Sep 30, 2009
Milsoft Utility Solutions will be participating in a landmark conference on renewable energy in the electric cooperative market. Hosted by the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and Dorsey and Whitney LLP, the two-day conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota is intended to inform renewable energy developers on the electric cooperative market. National leaders and experts on renewable energy, Smart Grid and rural electric cooperatives will be presenting at the conference, including yours truly, SmartGridMan.
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Written by Steve Collier | Sep 24, 2009
Renewable Energy World asks this very good question. Several responses are included from various sources. Hopefully readers will add more in the comment section.
Pretty much everyone seems to agree that the US electric grid is in trouble and that making it smarter will help.
Why is the grid in trouble? According to the USDOE / EAC Final Report on Electricity Supply Adequacy, the U.S. electric system, “the supreme engineering achievement of the 20th century,” is aging, inefficient, congested, and incapable of meeting future energy needs. The existing US electric grid has largely reached the end of it’s useful life due in part to the topology, capacity and condition of the generation, transmission and distribution facilities and in part to new business environment and operating circumstances. The traditional approach of building more fossil fueled, central station generation and bulk transmission lines is not only no longer as desirable, it will be more difficult if not impossible in many instances for a variety of reasons.
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Written by Steve Collier | Sep 02, 2009
