smart-grid

Green in the boardroom: the environment tops utilities execs' concerns

Energy utility executives say that the environment and greenhouse gas regulations top their worry list.

Researcher Platts and consulting firm Capgemini on Tuesday published the results of a survey that asked 100 executives from the utilities industry what their biggest concerns are.

Although there are no federal regulations to restrict greenhouse gas emissions, utility executives are already preparing.

Ninety-five percent of respondents said that the industry's focus on environment has increased from 2006. Global warming, climate change, and carbon emissions were the top environmental issues, according to 77 percent of the participants.

The reason that utilities are taking carbon … Read more

Smart grid investment heats up

A handful of smart grid start-ups have announced expansion funding, a sign that utilities are starting to see the technology as a way to meet burgeoning electricity demand.

Broadband over power line (BPL) company Ambient has signed a $10.7 million contract with Duke Energy, according to VentureWire. It raised $2.5 million in January of this year.

The reported deal follows the funding of Redwood City, Calif.-based eMeter, which announced Sunday that it took in $12 million from Siemens, Foundation Capital, and DBL Investors.

eMeter makes software designed to help utilities gather and integrate information generated by advanced … Read more

Energy-efficient smart grids on the cheap?

Smart grid technology is touted as a way to reduce stress on the power grid and lower consumers' costs. But a study suggests that simple and relatively cheap energy meters could accomplish some of the same goals.

Energy Insight, an affiliate of IT research firm IDC, conducted a survey that confirms what most people would expect: consumers are crying out for more information on their electricity usage.

That's not surprising given the rising costs of electricity in many parts of the U.S. and growing environmental concerns.

The 283 consumers in the study voiced interest in devices that display … Read more

Will plug-in hybrids crash the grid? Duke Energy says no

Duke Energy and smart grid company GridPoint said on Thursday that they have found a way for people to charge plug-in hybrid cars in a way that won't bring the power grid to its knees.

The companies said that they have completed a test using GridPoint's SmartGrid Platform device to charge up cars after 10 p.m.

The timing of when during the day plug-in hybrid cars are charged is crucial.

Oak Bridge National Laboratories earlier this month released a study that found that timing is everything when it comes to plug-in hybrids.

In the worst-case scenario, the … Read more

GridWise trial finds 'smart grids' cut electricity bills

Results from a year-long study on high-tech electricity meters found smart grid technology performed as intended, saving consumers about 10 percent on their bills while easing strain on the power grid.

The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratory on Wednesday released the findings from its GridWise project, which tested the use of Internet-connected thermostats and other controls in 112 homes in the Seattle area.

Consumers also tried out appliances, like water heaters and dryers, that were able to automatically change their settings according to signals sent by the utility over the power grid.

The trial showed that consumers are … Read more

Smart grid outfit GridPoint fills coffers, sharpens utility focus

GridPoint, which makes software for managing electricity grids, said on Wednesday that it has raised $48.5 million in its fourth round of funding and added board members that reflect its shifting focus on utility sales.

The round was led by existing investors Goldman Sachs and Susquehanna Private Equity investments. Altogether the company has raised $88 million.

In tandem with the funding announcement, GridPoint is gaining board members who participate in different steps of the electricity grid industry.

The chief technology officer of Duke Energy, David Mohler, and the CEO of US Power Generating Co., Jacob Worenklein, are now on … Read more

Smart-grid outfit GridPoint raising money, running tests

GridPoint, which makes a distributed power generation appliance, is in the process of raising more than $32 million in a fourth round of funding.

An SEC document filed earlier this week disclosed the $32 million tranche that will be part of a larger investment to be announced in a few weeks, according to a company representative. The investors in this portion of the round include Goldman Sachs, Altira Group and Standard Renewable Energy Group, according to PEHub which first uncovered the filing.

GridPoint, which I wrote about one year ago, makes home storage appliances tied to renewable energy systems, such … Read more

Another energy efficiency expert jumps in IPO

EnerNoc, which sells systems that automatically curb power consumption in buildings, saw its stock jump 20 percent on Friday, a day after its initial public offering.

EnerNoc sold 3.75 million shares for $26 a share in its IPO. The shares started trading on the open market on Friday and closed at $31.13. The $26 price was higher than expected. The company initially said it would sell its stock for $21 to $23 a share and then raised the range to $23 to $25 a share.

The company monitors electrical consumption in commercial buildings and matches that against electrical … Read more