Insights from our Editorial Team
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Aug 24, 2010 |
The Obama Administration has pushed smart grid as a national priority, but many battles are being fought on the ground, locally, utility by utility. Reasons for smart meter pushback, for example, vary by utility and service territory. The common underlying theme, however, appears to be lack of consumer outreach and education. In California, disparate communities variously object to smart meter accuracy and to purported health effects. In Naperville, Ill., locals are debating how much to spend on consumer education. Are these isolated cases, with little national impact? Or do difficulties with smart meter rollouts presage trouble on the national level?
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Aug 23, 2010 |
Several aspects of the recent decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve smart meter deployment by Baltimore Gas and Electric may influence similar rate cases elsewhere, according to Chris King, chief regulatory officer at eMeter. King pointed to the Maryland commission's interest in linking cost recovery and financial risks to consumer benefits. King said "the gap" between smart meter deployment and some types of benefits does not have to occur, citing Toronto Hydro as a good example. Finally, time-of-use rates shouldn't be mandatory; opt-in programs sometimes garner enough response to reach a utility's goal in shifting peak load.
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Aug 23, 2010 |
On a relative basis, the Naperville issue of a smart grid communications consultant is small: a one-line budget item worth less than a half-million dollars in an almost $22 million smart grid project budget. But the fact that the issue's being discussed at all points, in a small way, to economic and other issues raised by and on behalf of electricity customers as smart grid projects move forward.
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Aug 22, 2010 |
Xcel CIO Dave Harkness talks about how IT is evolving at his utility, which serves 3.4 million electricity customers. In this interview, Harkness discusses collaborating with business units, building flexibility into the IT architecture, transforming data into actionable intelligence and networking with peers. The interview previews Harkness' participation in Knowledge 2010, set for Scottsdale, Arizona, Nov. 8-10.
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Aug 20, 2010 |
Numerous trends are occurring in our industry that are putting the spotlight on the area of transmission. This is especially true with regards to the important role that transmission plays with regards to renewable energy. Renewable energy is a major factor that will continue to drive transmission investment. With most solar and wind generation located in remote areas, transmission lines are required to connect these projects to the distribution system.
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Aug 19, 2010 |
The Toronto Star ran two articles this week purporting to "reveal" something shocking about smart meters and backend systems in Ontario. The articles quote an "unnamed, worried industry source" and angry opposition politicians, but managed to include an official at the province's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), who noted that the issue was unrelated to smart meters. We deconstruct the media coverage, however, to show how the Star unwittingly played into the hands of critics of Ontario's government, and smeared smart meters in the process. As we all know, smart meters that work carry enough controversy.
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Aug 18, 2010 |
One thousand complaints, out of 1.5 million smart meter installations, led the Public Utilities Commission of Texas to order an independent study of meter and billing system accuracy. That report, issued recently, found smart meters installed and yet-to-be-installed are 99.96 percent accurate. Rather, a cold winter in Texas led to a spike in electricity bills and resulting complaints. The findings clear the three utilities and two vendors involved, but leave questions about how and why such a small number of complaints gained so much attention. Are there implications for the national picture? In California, for instance, smart meter controversies continue.
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Aug 17, 2010 |
While some smart meter rollouts have proceeded smoothly, others have become mired in controversy. Many commentators call for better communication between the utility and its customers on why smart meters are being installed. So, what are the essential messages that utilities need to communicate? We asked our readers and they delivered a few thoughts on the subject.
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Aug 16, 2010 |
Last week, Peter Darbee told the audience at a California Public Utilities Commission thought leaders event that it was difficult being a pioneer in the area of smart meter deployment, and asked, "But the question is, are we going to be punished for that?" In Fairfax, California, it looks like that's exactly what's happening. Citing health concerns, as well as concerns about accuracy and data security, the town council passed an ordinance banning smart meters for up to a year while these issues are considered. Despite questions as to the legality of the ordinance, PG&E has voluntarily agreed to halt meter deployment and set up a series of meetings with Fairfax residents and businesses to sort through the concerns. But will this change consumer's opinions?
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Aug 16, 2010 |
The Maryland Public Service Commission granted approval to Baltimore Gas and Electric on Friday, with conditions attached. BGE declared the decision a win-win for the company and its customers. But the Maryland Office of People's Counsel said it had fought for a year for full, evidentiary hearings and that the Maryland PSC's decision included important consumer protections as a result. The decision is likely to be parsed for its possible relevance to future regulatory actions across the country.
