Smart Grid defined.

There is a lot of discussion lately regarding Smart Grid technologies. Here is a basic definition: a smart grid is simply overlaying the traditional electrical power grid with a communications network and effectively using the data gathered at all points of the grid so as to optimize its operation. This allows, for example; real time transmission of energy readings to utility companies without the need for manual meter readings. This can be extended in a myriad ways, such as changing power tariffs dynamically by sending data from the utility to the customer during periods of peak usage to encourage reduced consumption.

A kWh saved is more than a kWh Generated!

Time magazine is taking this message to the masses - Energy Efficiency makes good sense!
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Court: TVA Must Install Pollution Controls Near NC

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All eyes are on TVA lately. After the initial coal sludge debacle and another one, the court has sided with the state of NC in requiring TVA to install pollution controls on four generation plants.

Is your Lighting Efficient?

From MRO Insider:

"Winter solstice is now behind us, so the days are getting longer again. Yet, your facility seems drearier. Being the sharp electrical troubleshooter that you are, you grab a light meter and take some measurements.

When you review your findings against the lighting plan, your suspicions are confirmed. Light levels really have dropped. In some places where the plan shows 45 footcandles, you measured only 25. In an inspection area that requires 90 footcandles, you measured 70. How can you figure out what’s going on?

A drop in light output is hard to isolate in time, because it tends to creep up on us. As light output diminishes a little each day, we adjust to the new normal. That makes troubleshooting more difficult, but not impossible.

Light output diminishes as lamps near end of life (the output curve varies by lamp type). So, maybe it’s just be time for relamping. However, there are probably other factors to correct. Things to check include:

• Dust and grime accumulation. Are the lamps, lenses, and shades clean?
• Overloaded neutrals. A plastics plant in Kentucky solved a dim lighting problem in one building by rewiring the lighting system. Most of the neutral wires had overheated to the point of discoloration. This rewiring more than doubled some footcandle readings.
• Transient protection deficiencies. Is your surge protection (Art. 285) plan tiered so that it protects lighting ballasts from events generated from inside your facility? If not, you probably have damaged ballasts. Replace a few ballasts to see the effect. Correct the protection deficiencies.
• Bonding deficiencies. Walk down your lighting system for violations of Art. 250, Part V. You should not have connections to ground (as defined in Art. 100) anywhere in this system."

LED lighting to save $1.8 trillion

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With the upcoming economic stimulus package just around the corner, we certainly need to save somewhere!

FPL Energy to be renamed NextEra Energy Resources

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NextEra is the largest producer of wind and solar energy in North America. The company currently has more than 6,300 megawatts of wind generation in operation, or enough to power more than 1.5 million average homes. It also is the largest generator of solar thermal power in the world. NextEra co-owns and operates seven solar plants in California’s Mojave Desert, which collectively form the world’s largest solar site. In all, the company operates 310 megawatts of solar power.

With aid from the state, Californians warm to rooftop solar power

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As I lived in the Bay Area during the energy debacle in 2000, I have watched this initiative with great interest. California leads the nation in subsidizing rooftop solar. Most of these systems are grid-tie systems which don't require storage batteries. They use grid-tie inverters to feed the grid such as made by Xantrex. Even so, this can be quite an investment with a long (10-15 year) payback. Looks like the subsidies along with new federal tax credits are driving adoption in California.

The closest thing we have in TN is Green Power Switch. Here as a residential you can buy green power from TVA or one of its distributors. Green generation is at the utility level with this plan.