Comments on: Smart Meters Get Mixed Reviews http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/07/31/smart-meters-get-mixed-reviews/ Environmental Leader Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:52:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: ema1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/07/31/smart-meters-get-mixed-reviews/comment-page-1/#comment-205466 ema1 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:02:19 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=19008#comment-205466 I maintain a small website aggregating New Zealand sourced smart meter related news. Overseas news is published now and then. I also maintain links to New Zealand Electricity Commission (NZEC) documents and discussion papers. NZEC is NZ's electricity market regulator. http://sites.google.com/site/smartmetersinnz I maintain a small website aggregating New Zealand sourced smart meter related news. Overseas news is published now and then. I also maintain links to New Zealand Electricity Commission (NZEC) documents and discussion papers. NZEC is NZ’s electricity market regulator.

http://sites.google.com/site/smartmetersinnz

]]> By: Warwick Stirling http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/07/31/smart-meters-get-mixed-reviews/comment-page-1/#comment-139922 Warwick Stirling Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:37:39 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=19008#comment-139922 Smart Meters focus on the supply side of the equation but do not actively tackle the demand side of the energy equation with the exception of providing signals for time-of-use pricing. The real key is for consumer to change their energy consumption patterns within the home based either on changes in price or from signals from their electric utility. This will drive real reductions in peak electric demand and lower consumer's electricity bills. To faciliate this shift in behavior, appliances within the home will need to modify their use of electricity over time to better match the supply side of the grid i.e. demand responsive or "Smart" appliances. At Whirlpool Corporation, we are working on improving our smart appliance technology which was first piloted way back in 2006-07 as a part of the Grid FriendlyTM Appliance Project. More details can be found at http://www.gridwise.pnl.gov/docs/gfa_project_final_report_pnnl17079.pdf The next generation of appliances will be even more sophisticated while still allowing consumers to maintain control to match their lifestyle and budget needs. The article also raises an interesting concern about interoperable standards. Whether it was the recent war of Blu-Ray v/s HD-DVD, or the old “Battle of Currents” between Westinghouse and Edison, evolution of standards has never been easy. However, one hopes that we have learned our lessons and can work with each other instead of against, in the process of defining standards for the Smart Grid. Warwick Stirling - Global Director of Energy and Sustainability, Whirlpool Corporation Smart Meters focus on the supply side of the equation but do not actively tackle the demand side of the energy equation with the exception of providing signals for time-of-use pricing. The real key is for consumer to change their energy consumption patterns within the home based either on changes in price or from signals from their electric utility. This will drive real reductions in peak electric demand and lower consumer’s electricity bills.

To faciliate this shift in behavior, appliances within the home will need to modify their use of electricity over time to better match the supply side of the grid i.e. demand responsive or “Smart” appliances. At Whirlpool Corporation, we are working on improving our smart appliance technology which was first piloted way back in 2006-07 as a part of the Grid FriendlyTM Appliance Project. More details can be found at http://www.gridwise.pnl.gov/docs/gfa_project_final_report_pnnl17079.pdf The next generation of appliances will be even more sophisticated while still allowing consumers to maintain control to match their lifestyle and budget needs.

The article also raises an interesting concern about interoperable standards. Whether it was the recent war of Blu-Ray v/s HD-DVD, or the old “Battle of Currents” between Westinghouse and Edison, evolution of standards has never been easy. However, one hopes that we have learned our lessons and can work with each other instead of against, in the process of defining standards for the Smart Grid.
Warwick Stirling – Global Director of Energy and Sustainability, Whirlpool Corporation

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