While most US motorists probably know very well what they pay for a gallon of gas at the pump, the nation as whole has very little idea of the true cost of the different types of energy it relies on. A new analysis by engineering students at Carnegie Mellon University
photovoltaics
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has closed financing and begun construction of its 30-megawatt Webberville solar project, one of the largest solar photovoltaic systems in the US. To be located just outside of Austin, Texas, the project is scheduled to be operational by year-end. Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas)
utilities
Viewed from the perspective of just one year ago, it’s amazing how quickly developments in the smart-grid industry have accelerated. That term alone, though — “smart-grid industry” — is somewhat deceptive. Things might be moving fast, but it’s still early in the game, and the smart-grid world remains anything but
Metering firm Elster has released its IP AxisLink platform, which provides IP-enabled convergence between advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and distribution automation (DA) networks. With support for TCP/IP, IPv4 and IPv6 communications, the IP AxisLink router is compatible with a variety of wide area (WAN) and local area (LAN) network
building energy management
Echelon and Infor are teaming up to make it easier for businesses and industrial customers to analyse energy use and trends in their buildings. The new offering is aimed at making it easier for energy users to determine the best times to maintain, replace or upgrade equipment and facilities for
home energy management
Battelle will use SmartSynch’s GridRouter communications module as the Home Energy Manager (HEM) component to complement its Active Demand Management System (ADM). Battelle’s ADM enables real-time pricing and pre-programmed home energy management. The system will debut as a 1,000-customer pilot as part of AEP Ohio’s gridSMART
wireless communications
The governing board of the public-private Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) has voted in favor of a new standard and a set of guidelines important for making the long-planned smart electricity grid a reality. The documents address the need for wireless communications among grid-connected devices as well as the ability
sensors
On-Ramp Wireless has released its Remote Monitoring Unit (RMU), a smart grid and infrastructure-monitoring device. In its first application deployment, the RMU provides specific functionality for monitoring and automatic alarm notification of solar-powered and line-power obstruction warning lights in electric transmission towers, cellular towers and other obstacles as required by
energy security
In his latest warning that a global energy makeover can’t come fast enough, the chief of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says, “The age of cheap energy is over.” Speaking at the Bridge Forum Dialogue in Luxembourg earlier this month, Nobuo Tanaka said, “The only question now is, will
electric cars
Google’s at it again. In a month that’s already seen the search-engine giant put $168 million toward the world’s largest solar project, announce Kansas City as the first municipality to receive Google Fiber high-speed broadband and invest in the world’s largest wind farm, Google is now
green transport
Masdar City, designed to be one of the world’s most sustainable developments, has welcomed the Superbus, a groundbreaking innovation in public transport. The six-wheel, 12-door futuristic Superbus measures 15 metres in length and has a 23-seat capacity. Fully powered by electricity and constructed with light carbon fibre materials to
demand response
Viridity has entered into a master agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy (DLA Energy) to pursue load curtailment at federal and military facilities across the United States. By selling planned electric load reductions at a premium into the energy markets, Viridity Energy aims to help defense bases and federal
