By Bruno De Wachter / Published on Tue, 2009-08-18 05:30
A concept often causing confusion
The 'smart grid' is commonly presented as an indispensable part of the future power system. It is claimed that a true liberalised electricity market with a high penetration of distributed generation will only be able to supply a high degree of power reliability if grids are made smart.
But what exactly is a 'smart grid'? Reading through some literature on the subject, one quickly discovers that it can mean many different things to many different people, often leading discussions to end in confusion.
A smart grid is neither a clearly defined single concept nor a single technology. Rather it is like a basket containing various combinations of balls. The context and the interpretation depend upon the user. Carnegie Mellon University recently published an article describing all of the various balls typically found in this metaphorical basket. Some of them represent innovations that are still in the development phase, while others stand for technologies which have already been applied for years.
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By Roman Targosz / Published on Mon, 2009-07-13 19:43
Commercial, or in other words non-technical losses account for more than 1% of electricity use around the world. The dominant component of these losses is electricity theft. In the largest extent, electricity theft is a problem related to residential customers. In some countries, electricity theft is in the range of, or far exceeding, technical losses in the transmission and distribution sector.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Wed, 2009-06-10 08:52
It is stated in Directive 2006/32/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 5 April 2006 that strong need exists in the community for improved energy end-use efficiency, managed demand for energy and promotion of the production of renewable energy. In defining, for example, energy efficiency improvement measures, cost-effective technological innovations should be used. One of these innovations may be the smart meter.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Sun, 2009-02-01 09:42
In Partnership with the Florence School of Regulation.
Smart metering is a crucial factor for the efficient functioning of the Internal Electricity Market, as well as for the successful implementation of European Union policies related to energy efficiency, renewable energy and security of supply.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Thu, 2008-11-27 20:45
Andrei Z. Morch, SINTEF Energiforskning AS, Norway
John Parsons, BEAMA Limited, United Kingdom
Josco C. P. Kester, Energy Research Centre of Netherlands (ECN), The Netherlands
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By Bruno De Wachter / Published on Thu, 2008-03-13 18:49
But expensive to implement
In recent years, peak summer demand for electricity has been rising more steeply than the average energy demand, especially in sunny countries where air conditioning is becoming standard.
Contrary to what you might expect, electricity generation and retail companies are not pleased with these consumption peaks. With the current pricing model, the cost of providing the marginal peak kWh is often higher than the revenue. Electricity transmission and distribution companies also see a high peak demand as a burden since it requires extra transmission capacity. A high peak demand is also negative from an environmental point of view, because it often requires the use of peak power production units with a poor environmental performance.
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By David Schmetterer / Published on Mon, 2007-03-26 06:49
It's been said that the cleanest and most effective form of energy production is conservation. Think about it - no new power plants, no dirty extraction or refining, and of course no emissions. But like post-peak oil, new opportunities for conservation can be hard to find. After you've turned your thermostat a few degrees in the proper direction, installed energy efficient lights, signed up for green power, and cut down on your transportation emissions, you know you've done some good, but it's kind of hard to see. Especially when you look in your wallet. The investments in efficiency will pay off, but only over time.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Sat, 2006-10-28 12:21
Smart meters offer advantages for consumers (reduced energy bills), for the environment (less pollution through reduced energy use), and for the utility (demand management, lower service costs). In addition, they facilitate the use of micro-generation. According to this briefing paper from Energy Watch, the UK consumer watchdog on energy, smart meters can contribute 6% of the UK's Energy Efficiency Commitment, mainly through behavioural changes not requiring investment.
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Mon, 2006-10-09 18:43
Webinar
Date: December 4, 2006
Time: 15h00 - 16h00 (Europe Standard Time)
Speaker: Rob van Gerwen, KEMA Consulting
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This webinar will give an overview of smart metering, a topic that recently has attracted much attention. Smart metering promises many benefits and projects in Europe, the USA and other countries show that smart metering is technically feasible. Main issues are the actual value of the benefits, the cost involved and the distribution of cost and benefits of smart metering between market parties involved. An advanced metering infrastructure offers the possibility for additional energy related services such as demand side management and realisation of virtual power plants. The future of smart metering will depend heavily on the policy and decisiveness of the governmental bodies involved. Energy savings and an increased security of supply will be main drivers and believe in smart metering as a means to reach these goals is indispensable.
Related:
Briefing Paper - Smart Metering
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By Hans De Keulenaer / Published on Fri, 2006-05-12 14:31
Date: June 15, 2006
Time: 14h00 European Standard Time
Speaker: Peter Vaessen, KEMA Consulting
How exactly the electricity system of the future will look like is uncertain, but we can already be certain that it will look very different from today's system.
We need to change the grid, we need to invest in new modern generation capacity, we need lots of innovation, and as a result, the complexity of the system will increase.
Reporting from the inside of the Technology Platform 'SmartGrids', Peter Vaessen from KEMA Consulting will give an overview of this rapidly evolving field as part of Leonardo ENERGY's programme on the 'Electricity System of the Future'.
This web event covered the changing configuration of the power system, the new role of the various operators, customer participation in the market, the role of electricity storage and smart metering.
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