By Katherine Berezowskyj
Huge efforts continue in both funding and research to make sure that Smart Grid technologies becomes a reality for the U.S. Making the grid will be more efficient is key to meeting growing U.S. energy needs and reducing our current environmental impact from energy generation.
Today the Wall Street Journal discussed how stimulus funds are being awarded to help transform the U.S. power grid from a “largely electromechanical system into a digital network that gives utilities more efficient ways to send electricity to customers.” Providing the U.S. with successful Smart Grid technology means important reductions in wasted electricity “that could help cut pollution and electric bills.”
The Journal’s article also discussed the development of smart meters. These are devices which allow utilities monitor usage in real time, letting them change the variable prices based on demand.
Other ongoing work includes the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) research and development work on the generation, delivery and use of electricity. To help with the organization’s important Smart Grid research, AREVA’s Transmission and Distribution division (T&D) just announced that it will supply intelligent electronic devices to the institute. T&D will be donating 13 different devices as part of its ongoing commitment to critical smart grid development.
These devices will be installed in the institute’s labs in Knoxville, Tenn., Charlotte, N.C., and Lenox, Mass., which are acting as substations simulators. At these locations, EPRI will use the devices provided by AREVA T&D and other companies, to simulate a Smart Grid for running various scenarios and tests. The EPRI researchers, working with utilities, AREVA T&D, and other companies will study a variety of realistic Smart Grid situations and capabilities.
“The goal of this project is to provide a test best for new ideas to address the challenges facing the Smart Grid,” explained Paul Myrda, the Technical Executive at EPRI. This is just some of the important work that is contributing to towards a more efficient, more reliable, Smart Grid for the U.S.
Be sure to read the rest of the Wall Street Journal article “Stimulus Funds Speed Transformation toward ‘Smart Grid’”
For more information about AREVA T&D contribution of intelligent electronic devices, check here.
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