Green Smart Grid Initiative

The Green Smart Grid Initiative

Developing a Smart Grid to Help Address Climate Change

No two issues are getting more attention within the energy industry and among policymakers these days than the smart grid and climate change.  Yet most see these two areas as not being connected.  More precisely, the smart grid – and smart grid practices like demand response – is not being viewed as having a role in the attainment of climate change goals. 

Demand response, the heart of the smart grid, could account for a fifth of U.S. electricity.

FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, cited by Reuters, “Smart Grid Good for Big Solar, Wind: US Regulator,” October 2009 view source website »

The Green Smart Grid Initiative (GSGI) has been launched to demonstrate that the smart grid indeed can be a major positive force in addressing climate change.  Among the issues it will seek to build an understanding of are the following: 

Smart Grid and Renewable Energy 
There is widespread consensus that increasing the use of renewable energy is a key component of any strategy and plan for addressing climate change.  What is less known is that many renewable energy options provide power on an intermittent and variable basis or »»»

Smart Grid and Energy Efficiency 
Another consensus building block in plans to address climate change is energy efficiency.  Most energy efficiency efforts are focused on replacement of devices and equipment with more efficient items, or focused on energy efficiency design and labeling of products and buildings.  The smart grid will introduce and foster new types »»»

 

An Essential Role
When it comes to renewable energy and energy efficiency, a smarter grid is a greener grid, and the Green Smart Grid not only has a role to play in addressing climate change, but is likely essential to allow climate change goals to be reached.   

Taking the Message to Copenhagen
As part of its educational efforts, the Green Smart Grid Initiative will be an official UN-approved participant in the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen in December 2009. 

 


The Smart Grid can reduce emissions by 60 to 211 million metric tons of CO2 a year by 2030.
Electric Power Research Institute. The Green Grid: Energy Savings and Carbon Emissions Reductions Enabled by the Smart Grid, June 2008.

If the electrical grid were 5% more efficient it could displace the equivalent of 42 coal-fire power plants.
Commissioner Wellinghoff, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission testifying to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, May 7.

The Smart Grid empowers consumers to control their own carbon footprints.
North American Energy Reliability Corporation. Special Report: Electric Industry Concerns on the Reliability Impacts of Climate Change Initiatives; Nov. 2008.

According to one utility, installing smart meters will take 114 meter reading and maintenance vehicles off the road and avoid 1.2 million miles of driving and eliminating 1.5 million pounds of CO2.
Portland Gas & Electric. “PGE Moves forward on Smart Meter Installation Territory-Wide,” April 15, 2009.

Smart Grid technologies can help families save 10% on their power bills
Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. Pacific Northwest Gridwise Test bed Demonstration Project, October 2007.

The Smart Grid helps reduce emissions by managing electricity peak load, CO2 emissions on peak can be 230% higher than off peak.
San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Company Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California. “Proposed Energy Efficiency Risk Reward Incentive Mechanism and E M&V Activities,” May 22, 2009.

Expanded development of the Smart Grid would result in a 16% drop in CO2 emissions by 2030, the equivalent of taking 90 million cars off the road.
Ryan Hledik , The Brattle Group Inc. "How Green Is the Smart Grid?"

Studies show that consumers who receive information about their electricity usage through Smart Grid devices use up to 20% less energy.
The Brattle Group Inc. “The Impact of Information on Energy Consumption,” May 2009.

"Demand response [is] a 'dance partner' for variable renewable generation, such as wind power. Demand response can ... manage the down 'ramps' that occur in wind plant output."
Rick Sergel, President and CEO North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Executive Remarks to the Energy Future Coalition Working Group, November 21, 2008.

Wind tends to blow hardest at night instead of the time when people have the most demand for electricity
“Unbridled Energy: Predicting Volatile Wind, Sun,” Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2009, p. A14

"Currently, every wind farm and solar installation has to be backed up by a nearly equivalent amount of conventional fuel to keep the power grid running. That raises cost."
“Unbridled Energy: Predicting Volatile Wind, Sun,” Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2009, p. A14

Demand Response programs in Texas helped prevent a major blackout there in 2008 when there was a sudden drop in wind capacity
"ERCOT Event on February 26, 2008: Lessons Learned," National Renewable Energy Laboratory, July 2008

The Green Smart Grid Initiative
The Green Smart Grid Initiative (GSGI) is a non-profit coalition focused on development and dissemination of information about how the smart grid can support attainment of climate-change goals. 
__________
1615 M Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036
info@greensmartgridinitiative.org 
202.296.1686

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