8 MEASUREMEnt & cOntROl
Multi-billion dollar investment spurs
US transition to smart energy grid
peaking at Florida Power and Light’s for everyone by helping drive down peak demand
A US$3.4b (E2.32b) (FPL) DeSoto Next Generation and limiting the need for stand-by power plants –
investment in the US Solar Energy Centre on 27 October, the most expensive power generation there is.
smart energy grid is
S president Barack Obama announced n US$400m (E273m) to improve efficiency
expected to generate
the largest single energy grid modernisation of electricity distribution and transmission.
tens of thousands of
investment in US history. It will be used to fund The administration is funding several grid
jobs, save energy and
a broad range of technologies that will spur the modernisation projects across the country that
empower all electricity
users to cut their bills.
nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more will significantly reduce the amount of power that
Sean Ottewell reports.
efficient and reliable electric system. The end is wasted from the time it is produced at a power
result will promote energy-saving choices for plant to the time it gets to houses. By deploying
consumers, increase efficiency, and foster the digital monitoring devices and increasing grid
Se prevé que la inversión growth of renewable energy sources such as wind automation, these awards will increase the
de 3.400 millones de
and solar. The US$3.4b (E2.32b) in grant awards efficiency, reliability and security of the system,
dólares (2.300 millones
are part of the American Reinvestment and and will help link up renewable energy resources
de euros) en la red
Recovery Act, and will be matched by industry with the electric grid. The DOE says that this
eléctrica inteligente de
EE.UU genere decenas
funding for a total public-private investment will make it easier for a wind farm in Montana to
de miles de empleos,
worth over US$8b (E5.5b). Applicants state that instantaneously pick up the slack when the wind
ahorre energía y permita
the projects will create tens of thousands of jobs, stops blowing in Missouri or a cloud rolls over a
a todos los usuarios de
and consumers in 49 states will benefit from these solar array in Arizona.
electricidad recortar sus investments in a stronger, more reliable grid. n US$2b (E1.4b) to help with integrating
facturas. Informa Sean An analysis by the Electric Power Research and cross-cutting across the different smart
Ottewell.
Institute estimates that the implementation of components of a smart grid. Much like electronic
smart grid technologies could reduce electricity banking, the smart grid is not the sum total
use by more than four percent by 2030. That of its components but how those components
Eine Investition von 3,4
Mia USD (2,32 Mia. EUR)
would mean a savings of US$20.4b (E14b) for work together. The Administration is funding
in ein intelligentes
businesses and consumers around the country, a range of projects that will incorporate these
US-Stromnetz schafft
and US$1.6b (E1.1b) for Florida alone - or various components into one system or cut across
aller Erwartung nach
US$56 (E32) in utility savings for every man, various project areas – including smart meters,
zehntausende neue woman and child in the state. smart thermostats and appliances, syncrophasors,
Arbeitsplätze, spart One hundred private companies, utilities, automated substations, plug in hybrid electric
Energie und verschafft
manufacturers, cities and other partners received vehicles and renewable energy sources.
allen Elektrizitätskunden
their smart grid investment grants on 27 October, n US$25m (E17m) towards building a smart
die Möglichkeit, ihre
including FPL which will use its US$200m grid manufacturing industry. These investments
Stromrechnungen zu
senken. Ein Bericht von
(E136.5M) in funding to install over 2.5 million will help expand the manufacturing base of
Sean Ottewell.
smart meters and other technologies that will companies that can produce the smart meters,
cut energy costs for its customers. These awards smart appliances, synchrophasors, smart
represent the largest group of Recovery Act transformers, and other components for smart
awards ever made in a single day and the largest grid systems in the US and around the world
batch of Recovery Act clean energy grant awards – representing a significant and growing export
to date in the US. opportunity for the country and new jobs for
Also among the announcements are: American workers.
n US$1b (E0.68B) towards empowering When these projects are fully implemented,
consumers to save energy and cut utility bills. the DOE expects the combined effects to create
According to the US Department of Energy tens of thousands of jobs across the country,
(DOE), these investments will create the including high-paying career opportunities
infrastructure and expand access to smart meters for smart meter manufacturing workers and
and customer systems so that consumers will be technicians, IT system designers and cyber
able to access dynamic pricing information and security specialists, data entry clerks and more.
have the ability to save money by programming The investment will also make the grid more
smart appliances and equipment to run when reliable, reducing the power outages estimated to
rates are lowest. This will help reduce energy bills cost US consumers US$150 (E102.3) b/y.
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