WHAT IS SMART GRID?
The SMART GRID refers to digital technology which allows for two-way communication between the utility company and its customers. This allows for more efficient and economical usage of energy. When people have more control over their power it will reduce electricity costs, reduce peak demand and wasted energy, decrease the chances of a blackout, reduce management costs for utility companies, allow for easier integration of renewable energy, and improve security. Smart Grid is an important key to Massachusetts clean tech economy and IES is currently involved in two projects designed to grow the Smart Grid market.
Smart Grid Investor Showcase:
The Institute for Energy & Sustainability, the Canadian Consulate General of Boston and SETsquared have partnered to host a 2011 Smart Grid Venture Showcase. This event will bring the extraordinary talent of world-class entrepreneurs throughout Northeastern United States, Canada and the United Kingdom together to pitch their companies smart grid products, innovations and technologies to an audience of angel investors, financiers, utility companies, potential customers and partners, read more here >>>>
National Grid–Smart Grid Pilot:
IES is collaborating with National Grid to provide professional consulting and program development in the education and community outreach aspects of their $57 million dollar, 15,000 home Smart Grid pilot project in southern Worcester. IES will fulfill this role by:increasing local business participation;assisting development of spin-off smart meter vendors and entrepreneurs;facilitating collaboration with Clark University, WPI and universities in the United Kingdom researching National Grid’s UK smart grid project;creating student and community opportunities for involvement;identifying innovative research areas; and encouraging participation of researchers and community members in this new initiative. >>>>
Smart Grid News & Updates
Amperion Technologies Selected by American Electric Power
August 29, 2011 Amperion, Inc
Amperion Inc., a provider of advanced smart grid communications solutions, announced today that it was selected by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide commercial products based on its Broadband Power Line Carrier (B-PLC) technology. The utility plans to use Amperion’s B-PLC products as a replacement strategy for aging pilot wire technology in 69kV line protection and control applications. >>>>
Constellation Energy Dedicates Criterion Wind Project
July 20, 2011 Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG)
Constellation Energy held a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 19 for its criterion Wind Project in Oakland…The First wind facility to be built and operated in Maryland, the 70-megawatt (MW) Criterion Wind Project consists of 28 wind turbines and will produce enough renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of approximately 23,000 households. >>>>
National Grid provides $225K Grant to UAlbany NanoCollege for Green Energy Initatitive to Establish Solar power Control and Monitoring Center at CNSE’s Albany Nanotech Complex
June 2, 2011 National Grid
National Grid today presented a $225,000 Renewable Energy and Economic Development grant to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany to help enable a green energy initiative that will establish a Photovoltaic Control and Monitoring Center (PVCMC) at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex…The $225,000 National Grid grant will be used to develop, install and demonstrate a state-of-the-art control and monitoring center. >>>>
CoolChip Technologies Wins $200,000 MIT Clean Energy Prize
May 9, 2011 NSTAR
CoolChip Technologies today became the grand prize winner of the MIT Clean Energy Prize for their revolutionary technology that reduces data center cooling needs. The MIT Clean Energy Prize is a national competition founded in 2008 by MIT, the U.S. Department of Energy and NSTAR to accelerate the pace of clean energy entrepreneurship and boost the clean energy economy. >>>>
Northeast Utilities and N-Star Highlight Environmental and Customer Benefits of Merger
April 11, 2011 Northeast Utilities
The merger between Northeast Utilities (NYSE: NU) and NSTAR (NYSE: NST) has the potential to save customers $780 million in the first ten years, >>>>
