Grid Edge

Verdiem's Next Frontier: The Phone

The people who cut power to PCs want to do the same with your phone via software that could put your phone into a sleep mode. But there are challenges.

Trends to Watch for, Post-Crash

Temporary layoffs, good times! And other things to expect in the downturn.

Solar and Wind Groups Lobby FERC to Lead Grid Expansion

Renewable energy advocates released a report outlining why the federal government, not the states, should have more say in approving transmission projects.

A Smart Grid for Water

HydroPoint Data Systems says it can help corporations calculate their water requirements to cut down on inefficiency.

Broadband Over Powerline Brings Smart Grid to Rural Areas

IBM and the International Broadband Electric Communications are running trials of smart grid services using broadband over powerline communications. The two companies hope billions in stimulus money could boost the use of transmission lines for smart grid communication in rural areas.

Clean Energy, Smart Grid Stay in Stimulus Bill

The House and Senate have agreed to keep $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency – and retain a key change to allow tax credits to be paid out as grants for clean power projects. But loan guarantees for renewable energy may be lower than hoped.

Tendril Moves to Link Up Old-School Meters

The maker of in-home energy monitoring equipment and software is in five utility trials to bring data from a previous generation of AMR meters – ones that can send but not receive information – into its ZigBee-enabled home networks.

Google Gets Into Home Energy Management

Google has launched PowerMeter, prototype software for measuring a home's energy use, and plans to partner with utilities and makers of power monitoring equipment to get the data the system will need.

Security Concerns Behind Slowdown in Itron Rollout?

SDG&E is slowing down its deployment of smart meters from Itron, as a result of security concerns, according to Pacific Crest Securities. Itron says its security is top-notch. The issue could play into a debate about open versus proprietary standards.

Wind Growth Could Cost Eastern U.S. $80B in Transmission Lines

A study by grid operators shows that an aggressive growth in wind energy generation by 2024 would need hefty investments in transmission lines. Meanwhile, a Michigan company proposes a $10 billion project.

Farmers Need a Better Grid, Too

The USDA is giving $356 million in loans to rural utilities in 10 states to upgrade their transmission networks.

A V2G Test: Pool Electric Cars for Grid Needs

A consortium seeking to make plug-in vehicles an aggregated resource for utilities and grid operators is demonstrating its ideas. It's among a number of pilot projects seeking to find ways to integrate the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle fleets of the future into an increasingly "smart" grid.

A Broadband Smart Grid?

Could broadband Internet connections replace smart meters as the communication pipeline of choice for homes and utilities to coordinate energy-saving home devices and networks? Maybe not, but they could be a way to get started.

Smart Grid: A Matter of Standards

As utilities deploy millions of smart meters that need to send and receive massive amounts of data, the question of what types of communications networks they're using is becoming a matter of increasing controversy.

IBM Brings Smart Meters to Malta

The computing giant has been pushing its smart grid efforts with research collaborations and partnerships with utilities in pilot projects in the U.S. and Europe. Now it's going to bring smart electric and water meters to Malta, though it hasn't announced any partners yet.

DistribuTech Shines Spotlight on Smart Grid

The big tradeshow for utility power, water transmission and distribution is getting a lot more attention this year, thanks to a newfound interest in smart grid technologies – and billions of dollars of federal stimulus aimed at the industry.

Tendril Targets Meter Makers

Tendril, the home automation company, is easing out of hardware so it can sell software to meter makers and others.

eMeter: Data-Keeper for the Smart Grid

The San Mateo, Calif.-based startup, which landed a contract with Texas utility CenterPoint on Monday, makes software that manages the flood of data coming from smart meters being deployed by utilities around the country.

Texas Approves $5B Worth of Transmission Line Projects

The state needs to improve its electric grid in order to manage the huge growth in wind energy generation.

Smart Grid: Test Customers Give Thumbs Up

The people have spoken, and they like smart grid. Customers in a trial conducted by Silver Spring Networks and OG&E said they began to change their behavior when they started to understand how much they were spending on power.

Nat'l Grid Plans $1.7B for Electric Transmissions in New York, New England

The company expects to sign contracts with two companies to build transmission lines and substations in the next five years.

Cisco's EnergyWise: By the Numbers

Cisco says it will save you power with a new console that controls phones, PCs, servers and buildlings. Here are there stats on how it works.

Cisco Jumps Into Energy Management for Computers, Buildings

The networking giant is launching EnergyWise – software that will run on top of its network to help businesses cut down on the electricity going to phones, computers, building HVAC and lighting systems and a whole array of devices.

In New England, A Demand Response Company Gets Utility-Sized

With agreements in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and now the city of Boston, EnerNoc provides about as much power as a small utility.

Smart Grid Backers Push Investment for Job Growth