[NukeNet] Smart Grid can reduce grid-emissions 25%

[Mike Ewall]

"If we could make the electric grid even 5 percent more efficient, we 
would save more than 50 gigawatts of energy (the equivalent of 
production from 50 large coal-fired power plants)" (Commissioner 
Wellinghof, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, February 2008)


Hi folks,

I had a long conversation recently with this representative of 
CURRENT Group (http://www.currentgroup.com), one of the companies 
selling "smart grid" technology.  At first glance, it seems to me 
like a decent idea for energy efficiency, though the idea of my house 
appliances each having their own IP number connected to the Internet 
seems potentially creepy in its implications.

I'm sharing this in case any of you have info/thoughts/feedback on 
it, either positive or negative.  If there aren't any significant 
negatives out there, this could be one of the energy efficiency 
methods that we promote in our materials on clean energy solutions.

See below and, for the attachment, see: 
http://www.energyjustice.net/powerlines/currentgroup-smartgrid.pdf
[Please do not link to this page; for permission to distribute it, 
contact Harry Wingo, whose info is below.]

Mike Ewall
Energy Justice Network
215-743-4884
catalyst at actionpa.org
http://www.energyjustice.net

--------------------------------

Subject: Smart Grid can reduce grid-emissions 25%, speed PHEV & 
renewables deployment
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 16:48:05 -0400
From: "Wingo, Harry" <HWingo at currentgroup.com>
To: <catalyst at actionpa.org>

Mike: thanks for your time today. Attached please find background 
information about the smart electric grid or "Smart Grid" which 
transforms the electric grid in order to deliver power more 
efficiently, reliably and securely.

A Smart Grid can reduce electricity consumption by up to 10% and 
lower grid-related (40% of the problem) greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%.

In December 2007, President Bush signed the federal Energy 
Independence and Security Act (EISA), which makes deploying Smart 
Grid the policy of the United States (see attached package). Also, 
Smart Grid is a key part of the enegy and climate protection 
platforms of each Presidential candidate: Senators Clinton, Obama and 
McCain (attached package). EISA-07 authorizes millions of dollars for 
Smart Grid deployments, including $100M each year for 5 smart grid 
projects around the nation as well as matching funds for commercial 
deployments of smart grid technology.

CURRENT Group is deploying Smart Grid today. Most recently, we were 
selected to help Xcel Energy with its "Smart Grid City" effort to 
bring smart grid to 100,000 residents in Boulder, Colorado. Here's a 
weblink for the project (see short video in middle of page and white 
paper link): 
http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,3080,1-1-1_15531_43141_46932-39884-0_0_0-0,00.html. 
(also, see attached package).

Smart Grid can help speed the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric 
vehicles (PHEVs) while enabling the more efficient and cost-effective 
delivery of electricity. A DOE-sponsored study (PNNL) suggested that 
such PHEVs could replace 84% of the gasoline-only vehicles on the 
road, but a Smart Grid will be needed to manage the charging of these 
vehicles. Without a Smart Grid, consumers may charge during peak 
times and cause an overload on the grid or in long-term require more 
fossil-based fuel plants to be built--thereby destroying the 
clean-energy promise of PHEVs.

In addition to making renewables like solar and wind more effective, 
a Smart Grid will also speed the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric 
vehicles (PHEVs) that are expected to travel 40 miles on a battery 
charge (anticipated as early as between 2010 and 2014 for mass market 
sales). Such PHEVs are expected to,
   - get the equivalent of 75cents/gal,
   - plug into a normal electrical outlet
   - put power back into the grid during peak times when 
air-conditioners place extra strain on the grid
   - serve homeland security function of providing power to homes and 
neighborhoods during emergencies
   - help America decrease its dependence on foreign oil

Please let me know if you or any members of your coalition have 
specific questions about Smart Grid.

Best regards,

Harry

Harry Wingo
Vice President,
Government and Regulatory Affairs
Current Group, LLC
20420 Century Boulevard
Germantown, Maryland 20874
(240) 449-7443 (phone)
(888) 798-9721 (fax)
HWingo at currentgroup.com
http://www.currentgroup.com