Insights from our Editorial Team

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission ruled that Xcel Energy's shareholders must pay a portion of the costs for SmartGridCity in Boulder, unless the utility can prove tangible benefits to its 1.4 million ratepayers in the state. The decision marks a victory for consumers and for intervenors in the case, but it revealed a flawed process for project oversight and cost recovery. Finally, the focus may shift to the project itself and whether its value propositions are validated. 

In the same way that one smart grid does not fit the needs of all utilities, neither can one communications network do the job for all. There has been a lot of buzz around Wi-Fi and WiMAX. Some say it's akin to comparing apples to oranges, and I would have to agree. It all comes down to the business case for each utility, and what type of telecommunications protocol-direct client connections over fiber or wire, or wireless mesh networking (and if wireless, what type) best suits the utility's distinct needs.

An Intelligent Utility Reality webcast, "Electric Vehicles: A Tale of Three Cities," provided insights into EV adoption, distribution system impacts and charging stations in San Diego, Detroit and Houston. If you missed the webcast, here's a synopsis and a chance to replay the webcast.

A community-based smart grid project launches in Fort Collins, Colo., and involves the city, the municipal utility, Colorado State University, vendor partners and the U.S. Department of Energy. This year the project will generate the data that may jump-start a more ambitious local project to turn the city's downtown and university campus into a "Zero Energy District."