Rising prices and government initiatives raise awareness
Monday, 25 May 2009 00:07
Rising energy prices and recent government initiatives are making energy consumers more conscious about how much power they use and how they are using it. Residential and business consumers are latching on to the idea that smart meters can help them conserve energy and save on their electric bills.Smart meters allow users to precisely monitor and manage their consumption. The money-saving devices have been proven to conserve water, natural gas, and electricity. Consumers gain perspective on how they are using energy – and how much that consumption costs in real time. Smart meters also develop a historical record of energy consumption were consumers can find patterns over time, and make adjustments accordingly.
A challenge has been how to implement part L of the UK Government’s Building Regulations Act which requires that energy consumption be accurately measured. But with the British government’s recent announcement to install smart meters in more than 26 million UK homes it seems the answer has been found.
The underlying assumption behind a smart meter is that consumers will more actively participate in energy conservation measures if they have the ability to determine the price of energy. Without these devices installed it is impossible to determine how much energy usage costs at a specific point in time. Even when the monthly bill arrives, only the most dedicated could determine how much it cost to use energy on a given day.
Read more: Rising prices and government initiatives raise awareness
Largest on-shore wind farm in Europe begins service
Thursday, 21 May 2009 15:03
The largest on-shore wind firm went into operation in Scotland on May 20. The Whitelee wind farm, with 140 wind turbines and 322 megawatts of capacity, had already enough supply for the needs of Glasgow 12 miles to the north. The latest phase increases capacity by one third.Whitelee is one of the first large wind farms to be constructed so near a large metropolitan area. Built on 55 square kilometres of moorland 1200 feet above sea level, each turbine stands 100 metres high and, on average, can generate around 2.5 megawatts annually. Scottish Power Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Iberdrola, developed the wind farm.
Despite the completion of the latest expansion to Whitelee, further expansion is expected. As the latest phase came into service, Alex Salmond announced plans to increase generation capacity by another third to 452 megawatts. Salmond is Scotland’s first minister.
An even larger project – this one involving 150 turbines capable of producing 540 megawatts – has been announced by the Scottish government. The first minister announced ambitious goals for Scotland to have half its energy supply come from renewable sources by the year 2020. These announcements certainly fall in line with these goals. Officials say the 2011 goal requiring 31 percent of electricity come from renewable sources has already been met.
Read more: Largest on-shore wind farm in Europe begins service
European power industry seeks regulatory support
Tuesday, 19 May 2009 00:00
On May 19, the European electricity industry asked regulators on the continent to greater incentivise the development of smart grid technology. The industry wants regulators to guarantee “an appropriate return” for the significant investments that are required to make smart grid technology a reality.Research & development costs, along with costs associated with installation and deployment of a smart grid are significant, said Eurelectric, the industry group. Eurelectric pointed out that most electricity networks in Europe are regulated so incentives to develop technology will be crucial in order to meet the EU’s carbon reduction goals.
At the end of 2008, the EU announced commitment to the 20-20-20 goals where overall carbon emissions must be 20 percent below the carbon emissions produced in 1990 by the year 2020. Also that year, the share of renewable energy present in the aggregate energy supply must equal 20 percent.
Smart grid technology integrates information technology within electricity distribution. Networking technology allows energy to flow bi-directionally which gives power grid operators a greatly enhanced ability to include renewable energy projects both large and small. A true smart grid would allow homeowners to generate their own power – and sell the excess not used back to the energy supplier.
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