J.R. Tolbert says he knew a recent report about the value of demand response in Massachusetts and Illinois would show positive benefits. But when the senior director of state policy at the Advanced Energy Economy saw the numbers in AEE's new report,"Peak Demand Reduction Strategy," he was wowed by the savings reaped in the two states. "When I … [Read more...]
Microgrids 101: A Non-geek Definition of Microgrid
October 30, 2015 By 36 Comments
A modern day microgrid is a mini-version of the electric grid – except usually smarter and more efficient. So before we provide a definition of microgrid, we need to define ‘the grid.’ The electric grid is the interconnected wires, poles and power plants that deliver electricity to our homes and business. People use the catch-phrase … [Read more...]
The US Electric Grid: Can’t Swim but Lives on a Boat
October 30, 2015 By 1 Comment
You might say the U.S. electric grid is like someone who can’t swim but lives on a boat. A big chunk of the grid is located in coastal areas. It’s vulnerable to flooding, and the problem is getting worse. Water and electricity don’t play well together. Flooding leads to outages and is likely to cause even more as sea levels rise. That's the … [Read more...]
Microgrids Made Easier: How Hoboken is Creating a Resilient Microgrid… and How Your City Can Too
October 29, 2015 By 3 Comments
Out of the Hoboken, N.J. microgrid project comes a toolkit that other cities and towns can use to green -- and keep greening -- a community microgrid. Here's the story of how the toolkit came to be and what it offers communities. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer knew it was not a matter of if there would be another … [Read more...]
Connecticut Microgrid Grants, Wave Energy Microgrids & More Quick Microgrid News
October 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Fairfield this week became the first town to begin operating a microgrid through Connecticut’s pioneering microgrid grants program. The unveiling comes as the state prepares to launch its third round of community microgrid grants. The next round is expected to differ from the earlier offerings in that applicants will be able to apply when … [Read more...]
Microgrid Group on REV: Don’t Replace One Utility Monopoly with Another
October 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment
New York appears to be moving in the direction of making electric utilities into something like an Internet marketplace for energy -- and this may not be a wise move. That’s the word from the Microgrid Resources Coalition (MRC) in written comments filed this week on Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), a much-watched strategy to decentralize New … [Read more...]
Efficient Motors: 50% to 80% More Efficient, Same Cost as Older Technologies
October 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Energy efficient motors can cut energy costs by 50 percent to 80 percent compared to older technologies. Even better, they can do that at the same cost as motors that use old-style technologies. That's the word from PJ Piper, president and CEO of QM Power, in this podcast interview. Click on the player above to listen. In the interview, he … [Read more...]
Energy Efficient Wastewater Treatment Technologies Save $40B…and more Quick Energy Efficiency News
October 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Quick energy efficiency news for this week… The U.S., Europe and China could save more than $40 billion by applying energy efficient technologies to wastewater treatment. Today, wastewater treatment results in more than 86 million metric tons of electricity-related emissions – equal to 9.7 billion gallons of gasoline consumed. But, applying high … [Read more...]
Move Over Solar, Time to Welcome Industrial Energy Efficiency: Pew Report
October 27, 2015 By 9 Comments
‘Industrial energy efficiency’ doesn’t roll off the tongue as nicely as solar. But when it comes to cleaning up the air and keeping the lights on, it’s got a lot to offer. That’s why industrial energy efficiency is on a growth trajectory in the U.S. -- not as fast as some would hope, but expanding nonetheless. Characterized largely by combined … [Read more...]
Microgrids in India to Avert Electricity Loss…Princeton Power Scores…Veolia in Ithaca
October 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment
We hear a lot about the need for microgrids in India where remote villages lack access to the central grid. But it appears that microgrids could help out India’s central grid as well. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported last week that India has among the world’s highest electricity line losses – the disappearance of electricity … [Read more...]
