Taking metering technologies to the next level
BY BRIAN SEAL, Electric Power Research Institute
Between 2004 and 2009, the production of traditional electromechanical electricity meters in the U.S. was gradually shutdown in the wake of the successful introduction of solid-state electronic meters. This transition was the most significant change in metering technology in over a hundred years. Although it has been four years since the last electromechanical meters rolled off assembly lines, solid-state meters are...
Smart meters and transactive energy: Examining the benefits and addressing the concerns BY JOHN CASKEY, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Smart meters are beneficial to consumers and utilities. What makes this meter “smart” is its two-way communication system and ability to...
New study shows metering devices are electrically safe BY LEN GARIS, Fire Chief of the City of Surrey A new study by a Canadian university may help mitigate any lingering concerns about the fire safety of smart meters. “Revisiting the Safety of Smart Meter Installations in British Columbia”,...
Addressing concerns from the utility and end user’s perspective BY DAVID BOVANKOVICH, E-Mon The increasing sophistication of commercial and industrial devices and equipment continues to drive the critical need for clean, dependable, stable electric power. As such, power quality continues to gain...
The electric industry is making the transformation from a centralized, producer-controlled network to one that is less centralized and more consumer interactive. An automated, widely distributed energy delivery network, the Smart Grid, is characterized by a two-way flow of electricity and...
A coalition of large energy consumers and ratepayer advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to prohibit transmission owners from independently planning "local" transmission projects exceeding 100 kilovolts (kV). The coalition argues...
The evolving demands of modern power grids necessitate the adoption of advanced technologies that can provide enhanced efficiency, reliability, and flexibility. Smart transformers are at the forefront of this technological revolution, offering a range of capabilities that significantly improve the...
In a significant shift, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has decided to abandon its transmission incentives policy, particularly the construction work in progress (CWIP) incentives. This decision marks a pivotal change in how transmission projects are financed and regulated,...
In a landmark move aimed at accelerating the U.S. transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy grid, the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a groundbreaking investment of $2.2 billion in innovative transmission and energy storage projects across 18 states. This significant funding...
In the past 100 years, customer interaction with electric utilities has not changed significantly. However, with the introduction of smart meters, customers are now able to sign up for new programs and access their electricity usage data. In early 2013, the Illinois Energy Infrastructure and...
Already, smart city technologies are strong in Europe and the Middle East. Now, cities all over North America are joining the smart cities movement as well. Once the journey begins, a city quickly realizes that it cannot become smart and sustainable without the help of its electric power utility....
