IBM's North Carolina smart-grid trial shaves power

Data from a smart-grid pilot project which uses smart meters and wireless appliance controllers shows that such a system can cut electricity use by 15 percent on average.

IBM and Consert have been running the project in Fayetteville, N.C., for the last six months and published the initial findings on Monday. On Tuesday, the GridWeek conference on the smart grid is scheduled to begin in Washington D.C.

The term "smart grid" can mean different things to different people, but the pilot test in North Carolina provides a picture of smart-grid technologies in the home.

Buildings were equipped with wireless smart meter and controllers for the major appliances in the home, such as dishwasher and HVAC systems. These devices communicate with a digital thermostat. A gateway can send information to the utility over a 3G wireless connection supplied by Verizon.

The set-up allows people to see via a PC how much electricity they are consuming and to create a "profile" to improve efficiency. For example, a person can program the cooling system or hot water heater to turn off when people aren't in the home.

In some instances, customers were able to cut electricity consumption by 40 percent, according IBM and Consert. Consumers can also chose to participate in the utility's demand response program where devices, such as a clothes dryer, are turned down for a few minutes during peak times.

The energy-savings from the pilot test are consistent with other smart-grid projects. Many people are able to make adjustments to their home energy use simply by viewing real-time data which might spotlight a big energy user, such as a pool pump. Typically, tools to program home appliances are necessary to get deeper cuts in energy use, experts say

[LinuxRules]

So does every device and appliance need a computer chip or you just need a small server that has a simple on/off switch to each of the devices and appliances?

[mlamonica]

I believe that the appliances speak to the thermostat via Zigbee wireless protocol. But the video above says that existing hot water heaters and HVAC systems can be retrofitted to operate on the network, so you don't need to buy new equipment with a wireless chip.

[TomPhilo]

From what I understand of the whole concept each and every device needs to have a chip in it that talks to the smart meter and relays its power use back in order for the whole concept to work - or a single device on a dedicated circuit: think 220 VAC for the dryer, another for the fridge and other for the diskwahseer etc -that the meter knows what is on it and thus can control the circuit - in order for this to work at all.
It ALSO requires that the END USER be dedicated AND have a PC, online internet access, ability to understand what is given, ability to program their appliances to start / stop at a certain time, ability to adjust their complete lives around the needs of the utility and sacrifice their time to avoid paying more $ for the same use of power at times not convenient for the utilities.
Thus, shifting the burden to the consumer to alter what they do or else pay extra money as a penalty. Remember, the whole goal is to entually allow the utilities to charge to end users different rates at different times - just like they do to big customers now - so that people using ppower between 6 AM and 6 PM will be charged more than 6 PM to 6 AM - just like the old phone company days.

Tom Philo
http://www.taphilo.com

[MattScallet]

TomPhilo,
I have to add that you are actually way off base with your comment. Real-time electricity pricing programs are well documented as being a great way for customers to save money on their electricity. I know from personally managing the Power Smart Pricing program which is a full fledged real-time pricing program offered to Ameren Illinois Utility residential customers in Southern Illinois. Since the inception of the program, customers are saving an average of 14% and 99% of customers are saving something.

In 2009 alone, customers are saving 27%. It turns out that our average participants are a lot more sophisticated and capable of taking advantage of a great opportunity that you give them credit for. We do this without any extra equipment aside from a new meter that can track usage by the hour.

With that said, it should be clear that while IBM's pilot program might be a great example of the power using a ton of equipment to generate savings, our full fledged program shows that the real key to savings comes with dynamic pricing alone.

Check it out at www.powersmartpricing.org.

[TomPhilo]

So, what you are saying is that I am correct in that the end users HAVE to be sophiciated and have to do all the work in order to save money - or pay extra. But am wrong on the chips being required in all the devices in order to PROGRAMICALLY CONTROL them.
Which means they have to MANUALLY adjust their lifestyle and the use of equipment in order to save $$.
So this is really social engineering - either pay the penalty of extra $$ to do the things the way you want to and have done in the past or adjust your life to match what other people want you do so to save money. Same path as freeway congestion priccing - just don't go to work between 6 Am and 9 AM or you pay 3 times more than at other time of day to use the road. Too bad you have to be at work at 8, that's not our problem!
Anyway you see what I mean.
And what happens to the people who are "not" sophisticated and cannot comprehend this - do they just pay more and ensure that the profit that HAS to be made is covered the people who do? And of course those people who must use items during the day will also have to pay more to cover those who "saved." It always has to be an end sum game - and "sum people" are gonna pay to cover those who don't.

[manuelve71]

so you get internet?

[manuelve71]

i wish i had this