Pushing a Smart Grid (NW Current)
In business, as with utilities, the real cost savings come not from the technologies themselves, but from the business strategies they enable. As energy costs rise, businesses must take strategic advantage of being able to know and control the costs in operations and production.
September 27, 2007
I wrote a "Current Commentary" for NW Current this month, making the case for combining smart meters and demand response technologies in a smart grid strategy. Neither technology has scratched the surface of its potential.
In "Pushing the smart grid" I put forth the case that utilities should suport commercial customers in delpoying demand-side technologies to save energy. But utilities can't simply implement energy management technology for customers, and save the cost of deploying AMI, because the two technologies go hand in hand. Whereas an energy management technology might benefit the business that invests in it, AMI magnifies those benefits. It also helps the utility reduce costs -- and that benefit accrues to every ratepayer.
The commentary includes input from Jeff Lund at Echelon, Bob Zak at Powerit Solutions, and Research Reports Int'l analyst Steven Morris.
Can advanced metering succeed without mandates for demand response? Use the comment form below to share your opinion.