January 13
How Grid Modernization Impacts Customer Perceptions
Top consumer smart grid news hand-selected and brought to you by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.
SGCC released its latest report which looks at how grid modernization has impacted consumers' attitudes toward their energy provider. More specifically, the report seeks to understand how grid modernization and experiences with a broad range of service providers have impacted consumers' attitudes toward their energy provider.
Smart grid firm Aclara Technologies announced yesterday it acquired the Smart Grid Solutions division of Apex CoVantage including the firms ProField mobile-workforce management technology used for smart grid deployments. The deal included SGS' Smart Grid Professional Services business comprising utility field services and consulting, and financial terms were not disclosed.
Itron has announced a new managed services contract with Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. to support the energy company’s “CenHub Insights+” program. The program aims to empower Central Hudson customers to make informed decisions about their energy usage.
In December, US-based integrated energy firm Entergy Corporations selected OMNETRIC Group for the deployment of a smart grid project. Entergy said it will use smart grid solutions and services to be deployed by OMNETRIC to enhance management of its energy distribution and retail systems.
Today, electric vehicles are being equipped to drive autonomously, connect with a myriad of other devices and even read human emotions to provide an enhanced mobility experience. EVs are also changing their relationship with the electric grid.
The state government of Massachusetts announced that it will provide $11.4 million in funding to implement an EE program. The capital will be issued through the Department of Energy Resources to help cities and municipalities in the state to plan and implement an energy efficiency project to reduce their energy usage and costs.
Analysis by Navigant Research shows worldwide interest in microgrid technology is on the rise, with North American and Asian nations leading the charge. There are almost 1,700 microgrid projects either operating or in development, and North America accounts for about 54 percent.
The EIA expects 24 gigawatts of new generating capacity to be added to the power grid during 2016, once final data are in. For the third consecutive year, more than half of these additions will be renewable technologies, especially wind and solar. Of the 2016 renewable additions, nearly 60% were scheduled to come online during the fourth quarter.