Smart Grid Library

It’s difficult to imagine life without electricity.  Our lives and lifestyles are so thoroughly intertwined with electricity that any disruptions in power can rapidly transform from minor inconveniences into life-threatening situations.  Thus the need for grid modernization – the Smart Grid – is vital to ensure that we continue to enjoy safe, reliable, and affordable [...]

The standard electric meter provides data about how much electricity is used over a defined timeframe, but smart meters provide additional details about consumption.  Do you know which home appliances use the most electricity?   For the vast majority of Americans, the answer is no.  There’s a quote that I’ll reword:  you can manage what you [...]

The Smart Grid standards that are under development require solid testing and certification processes to build confidence with all stakeholders and accelerate the adoption of technologies to help us all reduce electricity and carbon emissions.

I posed two questions last week to a number of Smart Grid-related groups organized within LinkedIn®.  The questions were:  “What do you consider to be the most important security challenges in protecting consumer data in a HEMS application, and what are the most important privacy challenges?”  I asked this question because this n application will [...]

My previous blogs touched on different aspects of the Smart Grid.  Now let’s talk about some of the common denominators of all solutions.  One is the fact that software will be a critical component to successful Smart Grid operations.  And not just any software – but open, standards-based, interoperable, and secure software.  The National Institute [...]

The developing Smart Grid portends opportunity and risk on both sides of the meter.  I spend enough time rhapsodizing about Smart Grid opportunities, so its time to look at some of the risks.  For customers, which could be utilities or end users, there are risks in selecting solutions that lack interoperability.  Will the smart meters a utility [...]