It’s the time of year to set goals again. I’ve seen many conversations over the past couple of weeks on goals for the smart grid in 2012—including a Tuesday Topic at Smart Grid News—and I couldn’t resist chiming in with my own views. Since I work closely with smart grid programs and technology, I’ve been pleased with the work in recent years to create a smart grid. However, I also recognize that we have a long way to go.
So what goals would I like to see accomplished in 2012 for the smart grid? Here’s a few:
- Consistent regulations for grid-based energy efficiency programs. Today there is no consistent framework on how to structure return on investment in grid-based technologies that improve the efficiency of the grid, like volt/var optimization. The benefits provided by such technologies are many: reduced energy losses during electricity distribution, effective peak shaving without impacting the consumer or requiring changes in consumer behavior, reduced costs. We need to ensure our regulatory structures support investment in these technologies.
- Consistency in regulations, period. Regulatory mandates vary significantly from state to state in the U.S. As a result of this patchwork of requirements, there’s no clear guide as to what constitutes acceptable performance from the grid. This is an issue for utilities that operate in multiple jurisdictions, and it’s an issue for companies and organizations that are developing solutions to improve grid performance. Over what baseline are we attempting to improve performance?
- A higher bar for acceptable grid performance. Among these many and varied regulatory requirements for electric service reliability, the requirements for acceptable grid performance are too often much lower than in other countries. The U.S. electric grid needs to at least match, if not exceed, the performance of electric grids in other parts of the world in order to effectively compete in the 21st century.
- A better, more convincing case to the public on the benefits of a smart grid. All too often, the benefits of a smart grid are not presented well, or only a small portion of the benefits are discussed. As I’ve discussed in other blog entries, part of the problem is that smart meters are often equated to smart grids, when in fact smart meters are only part of a smart grid. We need to put more emphasis on benefits provided by other smart grid technologies—which is especially important because these technologies are providing real benefits today, like improved reliability. Everyone can understand and appreciate fewer power outages, as well as power outages greatly shortened by technologies like distribution automation.
What smart grid goals would you like to see achieved this year?
No comments yet.