Vodafone
Date: 2020-07-20
In the UK, Berkshire-based telecommunications firm Vodafone Group Plc reports it remains committed to improving the energy efficiency of its base station sites and in its data and switching centres, which together account for 95 pct of the company's total global energy consumption. During 2020, Vodafone invested €77 million in energy efficiency and renewable projects, which led to annual energy savings of 186GWh. In 2019, the company achieving a 38.5 pct reduction in the total amount of GHG emissions per petabyte (PB) of mobile data carried.

Vodafone's energy efficiency initiatives are focused on sourcing and implementing more efficient network equipment, reducing energy demand by installing lower-energy power and cooling technologies, and cutting energy use by decommissioning and replacing legacy equipment. Vodafone's energy efficiency initiatives include:

Smart energy meters that enable businesses, municipal authorities and households to monitor, manage and reduce their energy use. Worldwide, Vodafone has over 12 million smart meter connections using its IoT technology, saving an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of CO2e.

Smart cities networked intelligently to improve the efficiency of energy-intensive services such as public transport, public road networks and street lighting. For example, in the city of Guadalajara, Spain, 13,500 LED lights were connected to a central management system, reducing street lighting energy consumption by 68 pct.

(Source: Vodafone Group Plc, IoT Business News, July, 2020) Contact: Vodafone Group Plc., www.vodafone.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vodafone news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Grid4C, Trilliant
Date: 2020-07-20
Cary, North Carolina-based Smart Grid and Smart City IoT solutions specialist Trilliant Networks reports it is partnering with Austin, Texas headquartered Grid4C to deploy its AI-powered solutions to Trilliant's smart metering platform.

Grid4C's AI grid edge solutions provide energy managers with real-time predictions and actionable insights for both their operations and customer-facing applications. When combined with Trilliant's communications and edge device integrations for metering, distribution automation, street lighting, environmental monitoring, and much more, the platform delivers valuable aggregated data for applications.

The data analytics further enhance the visibility of operational efficiency goals, improve proactive management of devices and assets, deliver insights into new revenue streams, and enhance security, enabling business outcomes and customer success.(Source: Trilliant Networks, PR, 20 July, 2020) Contact: Trilliant Networks, 919.495.6111, www.trilliant.com; Grid4C, Dr. Noa Ruschin-Rimini, CEO, 512-960-0684, www.grid4c.som

More Low-Carbon Energy News Grid4C news,   Trilliant news,  Smart Meter news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Tampa Electric
Date: 2020-07-15
In the Sunshine State, Tampa Electric is reporting the launch of more than 30 new and updated energy-efficiency programs for its customers.

For residential customers, the new Energy Star Smart Thermostat program will offer a rebate up to $50 for installing a qualifying smart thermostat in their home. Also new is the Energy Star Pool Pump program, which provides a rebate up to $350 for installing a high-efficiency pool pump. The utility is also updating its Prime Time Plus load-management program that will use its smart meters to control a customer's air handler, water heater, and/or pool pump at times of high energy use.

For commercial customer the Facility Energy Management System program provides a rebate of up to $25,000 for installing a system that enables the customer to reduce energy consumption and demand. Also, the Smart Thermostat program will offer a rebate of up to $4,500 for installing smart thermostats to help reduce demand and the Variable Frequency Drive Control for Compressors program will give a $50 per horsepower rebate for installing qualifying equipment on a customer's new or existing refrigerant or air compressor motors.

Additionally, the company is ramping up the Integrated Renewable Energy System which will incorporate an 800-KW PV solar array, two 250-kW batteries, and several vehicle and industrial truck battery-charging stations. This pilot program will be used to study its performance and to maximize energy-saving benefits. Tampa Electric also will expand the existing energy education program to include renewable energy education for both residential and commercial customers. (Source: Tampa Electric, July, 2020) Contact: Tampa Electric, www.tampaelectric.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tampa Electric,  Energy Efficiency,  

International Finance Corporation
Date: 2020-06-29
The World Bank subsidiary International Finance Corporation (IFC) is reporting a $10 million investment in power grid solutions provider Globaltronics .

The investment will facilitate the implementation of Globaltronics' energy efficient "smart" electric meter replacement project in Egypt, and is in line with the Egyptian government's ongoing energy reforms program. (Source: International Finance Corporation, Afrik21, 29 June, 2020) Contact: International Finance Corporation Globaltronics, www.globaltronics.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Finance Corporation,  Smart Meter,  Energy Efficiency,  

Gulf Organisation for Research and Development
Date: 2020-06-22
In Qatar, the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions leading "green" buildings, sustainability and energy efficiency services provider, is reporting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India's state-controlled Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to collaborate on and support local and regional energy efficiency projects in the Middle East.

The MoU includes the deployment of large-scale smart metering systems, electric vehicle charging, energy efficient lighting sustainable and energy efficient HVAC systems, renewable energy projects, and consulting on sustainability and variou carbon neutral projects. (Source: GORD, MENAFN, The Peninsula, 22 June, 2020) Contact: GORD, www.gord.qa;

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Services news,  EESL news,  Energy Efficiency news,  India Energy Efficiency news,  

Ameren,Ameren Missouri
Date: 2020-03-02
St. Louis-based Ameren Missouri reports that under its Smart Energy Plan it will its will invest $7.6 billion over five-years in wind and solar energy, energy storage and smart meters to serve its customers, primarily in Missouri. The plan includes;

More than 2,000 infrastructure improvement projects across the state totaling $5.3 billion in capital investments over the next five years, including approximately $1 billion in electric investments in 2019.

Major renewable energy projects to continue the transition to a cleaner energy future for customers, including $1 billion for wind energy in 2020. This also includes modernizing the energy grid to allow Ameren Missouri to add more solar energy and battery storage on the system to cost-effectively boost reliability, particularly in rural areas.

New smart grid sensors, switches and self-healing equipment to rapidly detect and isolate outages- reducing the number of outages and speeding power restoration when service interruptions occur.

A stronger, more secure energy delivery backbone including installing 12,000 new utility poles for storm hardening, many fortified with composite materials to better withstand severe weather.

More than 400 miles of new underground cable and equipment to create a more efficient and reliable underground energy delivery system that better serves customers.

Over 70 new or upgraded substations to increase energy service reliability and serve more customers through a streamlined network that is more cost-effective and efficient.

Addition of 800,000 smart electric meters through 2023 to give customers more insight and control of their energy options and costs.

Details of Ameren's Smart Energy Plan are HERE. (Source: Ameren Missouri, Ameren Corporation, PR, Feb., 2020) Contact: Ameren Missouri, Michael Moehn, Pres., Andrew Kirk, 314.554.4859, akirk@ameren.com, www.ameren.com, Andrew Kirk, 314.554.4859, akirk@ameren.com, Twitter at @AmerenMissouri, Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameren Missouri,  

Virginia Tech
Date: 2020-02-28
In the Old Dominion Sate, Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg reports approval of more than $3.1 million for the 5th phase of the school's ongoing Five-Year Energy Action Plan, a comprehensive blueprint to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption and costs within five years.

One of the cornerstones of the Energy Action Plan is leveraging data to optimize energy usage to achieve energy efficiency at scale on campus. Ten new buildings are added to the university's energy management platform during each phase. Proposed projects under Phase 5 (2019-20) of the Energy Action Plan include:

LED lighting overhaul in a range of buildings

Lab ventilation optimization and retro-commissioning of HVAC energy systems

Power plant compressed air system optimization

Integration of 10 additional energy-intensive

buildings into the university's energy management platform

Ongoing smart metering, meter replacement and maintenance, and

Implementation of a rooftop solar project at the Sterrett Facilities Complex. (Source: Virginia Tech, 25 Feb., 2020) Contact: Virginia Tech, Office of Energy Management, Christopher H. Kiwus, Associate VP, Chief Facilities Officer, 540-231-4300 www.facilities.vt.edu/energy-utilities/energy-reduction-efforts.html, www.vt.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Virginia Tech,  Energy Efficiency ,  

New Jersey BPU
Date: 2020-02-21
Sitting in Trenton, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) reports it has lifted a more-than-two-year moratorium on utilities moving to smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) -- technology that is presently used in over 92 million homes nationwide.

In its order, the BPU directed the state's three largest electric utilities to file plans with the agency within six months to implement smart meters and AMI. In lifting the moratorium, the board found that AMI has the potential to benefit the distribution system, streamline and modernize utility operations and benefit the environment.

The installation of roughly 2 million smart meters over six years is expected to come in at roughly $794 million and aligns with the BPU's recently adopted Energy Master Plan. (Source: NJ BPU, NJ Spotlight, 20 Feb., 2020) Contact: New Jersey BPU, www.bpu.state.nj.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Smart Meters ,  New Jersey BPU,  

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd
Date: 2020-02-17
The India Economic Times is reporting India's state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) firm is planning to capture 25 pct of the country's $15 billion energy efficiency market over the next five years. EESL is specifically focused on the smart metering, electric vehicles and EV and charging infrastructures, off-grid power and distributed solar sectors. (Source: EESL, India Economic Times, 13 Feb., 2020) Contact: Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., 011-4580 1260, www.eeslindia.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Services Ltd,  EESL,  Energy Efficiency,  India Energy Efficiency ,  

Energy Efficiency
Date: 2020-02-14
In a recently released UK survey of over 100 built environment experts including leading architects, property developers and public and private sector building administrators, 51 pct considered "energy efficiency and decarbonisation as the most important outcomes for the retrofit of buildings." Of those surveyed, 85 pct said there is not currently enough legislation around retrofit project investment in their region, which in turn is slowing progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

To be successful in retrofit projects, 51 pct of respondents said more innovation in renewable power generation and energy storage is needed, with 48 pct agreeing that solar power will provide the biggest performance gain on retrofit projects over the next two years. As well, digitalised energy systems, which could feed into smart meters or energy use apps, look set to allow customers greater control over their energy use to the point where efficiencies can result in a surplus of energy, was also widely agreed upon. 50 pct of respondents believe that net-zero carbon buildings will soon be able to generate income by selling excess energy. The survey also found an ambitious national retrofit campaign is needed. (Source: WSP Consultancy, pbctoday, Feb., 2020) Contact: WSP, Nick Offer, UK Building Services Head, www.wsp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

European Investment Bank
Date: 2020-02-14
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is reporting a €12 million loan to Slovenian energy efficiency and energy management solutions provider Resalta.

The loan funds will be used to accelerate commercialisation of the company's services and enhance its positive environmental impact in South-Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. Part of the EIB loan will be used for digitalisation and development of new energy management systems such as supervising functions, technical intelligence, smart meters and sub-meters controls etc. The remaining funds will be invested in new services and IT technologies crucial for the improvement of energy performance of buildings. (Source: EIB, European Commission Europa, PR, 13 Fab., 2020)Contact: EIB, www.eib.org; Resalta, www.resalta.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Investment Bank,  

DOE SETO
Date: 2019-12-20
Cleveland-headquartered power management specialist Eaton Corp is reporting receipt of $3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to pursue research and development initiatives that enable more widespread adoption of solar power and energy storage.

Eaton's research will focus on developing a real-time controller for behind-the-meter distributed energy resources and loads, such as solar generation and battery storage. The project will integrate data from smart meters to enable enhanced grid services that improve reliability in distribution systems with high solar penetration.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Electric Power Research Institute, Pecan Street, Provo City Power and Commonwealth Edison will participate in Eaton's research. m will work with existing utility infrastructure.

SETO supports early-stage R&D to improve the affordability, reliability, and performance of solar technologies on the grid. (Source: Eaton, PR, BusinessWire, 19 Dec., 2019) Contact: Eaton, Cara Klaer, Media, (248) 226-1755, CaraLKlaer@eaton.com, www.eaton.com; DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eaton Corp,  SETO,  U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies ,  

PRIME Alliance
Date: 2019-09-20
In Brussels, the PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution Alliance (PRIME) reports more than 40 participants from over 20 utilities and integrators and certification entities -- CEZ Distribuce, EDP Distribuicao, E-Redes, Iberdrola and others -- attended its fifth annual Utility to Utility User Group Conference in Munich. The conference highlighted the deployment of 21,000,000 smart meters with PRIME Technology worldwide.

Attending utilities received further clarification on how approximately 80 products have been PRIME certified by laboratory members, such as DNV-GL and Tecnalia.

PRIME represents a public, open and non-proprietary telecommunications architecture which supports present and future AMM functionalities and enables the building of the electricity networks of the future, or smart grids.

PRIME aims to establish a complete set of international standards which will allow for full interoperability among equipment and systems from different providers. Thus, competition in the metering market will benefit utilities and its customers.

The components of PRIME architecture (modulation and coding techniques, protocols, data formats etc.) are not subject to any Intellectual Property Rights. Specifications are comprehensive and detailed enough so that any new entrant will be able to provide interoperable solutions to the market, according to the PRIME website. (Source: PRIME Alliance, PR, 19 Sept., 2019) Contact: PRIME Alliance, info@prime-alliance.org, www.prime-alliance.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News PRIME Alliance,  Smart Meter,  Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,  

Mass. DOER
Date: 2019-09-18
In the Bay State, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) reports it has released plans to reform and expand the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program which incentivizes cost effective solar and promises to double the amount of solar in the commonwealth.

To meet increasing customer demand for solar energy, DOER proposes adding 800 MW to the SMART incentive program, bringing the total to 2.4 gigawatts. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) supports this expansion but, in comments to regulators, is calling for even more capacity to be added to the program. To that end, DOER has proposed the dollowing regulatory clarifications and fixes:

DOER proposes clarifying SMART metering configurations when projects are paired with storage. The clarification will impact residential and larger scale projects. These issues have drawn the ire of utilities, regulators and solar firms for the past year. DOER guidance on metering is critical.

DOER proposes an increase to the stepped-up incentive for municipal projects. A higher incentive would make it easier for cities, towns and school districts to go solar. In addition, DOER proposes more time for municipal projects to meet certain milestones for qualification, recognizing that public projects almost always have to go through a bidding process. SEIA agrees with the intent of this proposal.

Fixing compensation for solar projects serving on-site energy needs. Based on the current regulatory framework, some projects without a net metering allocation get reduced values. DOER proposes expanding the use of certain credits and changing the way energy compensation is calculated.

According to SEIA, the most troubling aspects of DOER's plans involve the treatment of community solar projects, including a proposed five-fold increase in penalties for larger scale solar projects on certain lands. DOER calls for the new penalties to apply to a broader swath of community solar projects and for changes to apply to projects already in development. These proposals would have a negative impact on the community solar market. Increased penalties will halt solar development, with penalties ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to many millions, according to SEIA. (Source: Mass. DOER, Solar Energy Industries Assoc., 16 Sept., 2019)Contact: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, (617) 626-7300, doer.energy@mass.gov, www.mass.gov/doer; SEIA, Abigail Ross-Hopper, CEO, (202) 682-0556, info@seia.org, www.seia.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mass. DOER,  Solar,  SEIA,  

Ameren Missouri
Date: 2019-07-08
In St. Louis, Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, reports it has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to decrease electric rates as part of the company's $5.3 billion Smart Energy Plan.

The Smart Energy Plan, which includes $1 billion investment in wind energy as well as a "Smart Savers" rate for off-peak energy use, is the largest energy efficiency plan in the company's history and provides customers with more ways to manage and reduce their energy usage, the company said. The company also plans to roll out the first of its new generation of smart meters starting in 2020. (Source: Ameren Missouri, PR, 5 July, 2019) Contact: Ameren Missouri Smart Energy Plan, Tara Oglesby, VP, www.ameren.com/Missouri/company/smart-energy-plan, www.ameren.com/missouri

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameren Missouri,  Wind,  Energy Efficiency,  

Ameren Missouri
Date: 2019-07-08
In St. Louis, Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, reports it has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to decrease electric rates as part of the company's $5.3 billion Smart Energy Plan.

The Smart Energy Plan, which includes $1 billion investment in wind energy as well as a "Smart Savers" rate for off-peak energy use, is the largest energy efficiency plan in the company's history and provides customers with more ways to manage and reduce their energy usage, the company said. The company also plans to roll out the first of its new generation of smart meters starting in 2020. (Source: Ameren Missouri, PR, 5 July, 2019) Contact: Ameren Missouri Smart Energy Plan, Tara Oglesby, VP, www.ameren.com/Missouri/company/smart-energy-plan

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameren Missouri,  Energy Efficiency,  

Schneider Electric
Date: 2019-06-04
Schneider Electric has contacted the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) to express interest in the replacement of around 7.5 million conventional electricity meters with smart meters, The project to replace conventional electricity meters with smart meters, implemented by HEDNO, whose Greek acronym is DEDDIE, is worth €1.5 billion, the portal wrote. Schneider Electric, which is already cooperating with HEDNO on other projects, is now waiting for the Greek power grid operator to announce the details regarding tendering for the smart meter project, in which it will be participating, according to the report. According to the report, the scenarios on the table include the implementation of the project via private funds, through a public-private partnership (PPP), and by a strategic investor. The most likely scenario, presented in late April to the board of Public Power Corporation (PPC), envisages the creation of a subsidiary to which the existing analog meters will be passed on, and then the entry into that entity of a strategic investor with a 49% stake so as to ensure the financing of the project, the portal wrote.

Replacing the analog meters with digital ones will allow for the management of energy both by the grid operator and by consumers, while efficiently dealing with the problem of electricity theft for good, according to the report.

Schneider Electric recently installed an energy management system in the network of Italian power company Enel, which has led to savings of some 30%, the report adds. (Source: Schneider Electric, Balkan Green Energy News, 4 June, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Schneider Electric news,  

Energy Saving Trust
Date: 2019-04-10
In the UK, the Energy Saving Trust reports it has developed a new app to help smart meter installers give timely and tailored energy efficiency advice. The energy saving advice tool is being trialled this month by energy companies before a full roll-out.

The app draws on Energy Savings Trust data, information and insight, and looks at each home individually as it gets its meter installed, giving an overview of a home's four key rooms and appliances to identify potential energy use cutbacks and financial savings. The app is designed to be used by primarily by energy suppliers and smart meter installers. (Source: Energy Saving Trust, Blog, 9 April, 2019) Contact: Energy Saving Trust, +44 0 20 7222 0101, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Saving Trust,  Energy Efficiency,  

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd
Date: 2019-01-02
In New Delhi, Indian state owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) reports it has raised its first long-term rupee loan of Rs 500 crore (1 crore = $160,000/- 500 crores = $800,000,000) from the government owned Punjab National Bank (PNB). The funds will be earmarked for EESL's national energy efficient street lighting programme, smart meter programme, solar substation and e-mobility projects, according to a press statement.

In other recent EESL news, in March, 2018, the company's UK subsidiary EnergyPro Assets acquired British power generation solutions provider Edina UK Ltd for £55 million (Rs 493 crore). In May, 2018, EESL received a $300 million loan from the World Bank for residential and public sector energy efficiency projects. (Source: EESL, IANS, 1 Jan., 2018) Contact: Punjab National Bank, www.pnbindia.in; Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, www.eeslindia.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Services Ltd,  

Low Carbon Prosperity Institute
Date: 2018-10-31
A recently published study by the Seattle-based Low Carbon Prosperity Institute (LCPI) offers new insights into the investment performance required for Washington State's Initiative 1631 to achieve its carbon-reduction goals. A proposed carbon fee on the ballot in Washington state -- I-1631 -- aims to use clean-energy investments to eliminate 20 million tpy of carbon pollution by 2035.

LCPI applied its proprietary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Explorer, a modeling tool used extensively by lawmakers to project outcomes of proposed carbon reduction policies, to evaluate possible investment scenarios that would achieve the policy'S carbon reduction goals and commitment to supporting causes and communities not directly related to reducing carbon emissions. According to the LCPI, achieving the I-1631 fee-freeze is only possible with two strict conditions: all available Clean Energy Account revenue generated by the initiative needs to go into carbon-reducing investments, and investments must perform with best-in-class cost-effectiveness as would be expected from commercial investment funds. Investments would also need to average in the range of $15 to $45 per ton of emissions reduced.

By comparison, the 2014 California Climate Investments program has spent on average, $67 per ton of emissions reduction. Beating California's investment performance can be achieved by harnessing emerging and rapidly cost-declining technologies, maximizing state investments with private dollars, factoring in the impact of the fee on project economics, and focusing on budget-friendly projects in the state such as capturing methane from waste, smart meters, electrification or biomass fuel switch, organics and recycling programs, cellulosic ethanol, bus fuel efficiency, increasing forest lands, and heating/cooling upgrades.

The LCPI was launched in 2018 as a project of the Washington Business Alliance and its PLAN Washington agenda. The LCPI's system design approach delivers the strategic guidance needed for states and countries to achieve long-term success in reducing greenhouse gases, reducing other waste, and building an even more powerful economy. LCPI uses a modeling system, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Explorer -- the "Gold Standard" for evaluating strategies proposals for managing climate-sensitive waste reduction.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Explorer details HERE.

Download the full report, citations and analysis HERE. (Source: Low Carbon Prosperity Institute , PR, BusinessWire, 29 Oct., 2019) Contact: Low Carbon Prosperity Institute, David Giuliani, Director and Co-founder, www.lowcarbonprosperity.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  

Semtech
Date: 2018-07-30
Camarillo, California-headquartered Semtech Corporation reports that Hanbit Automation, an Indian provider of end-to-end automation solutions in gas, water and electricity metering, has incorporated Semtech's LoRa® technology into its sensors and smart metering solutions helping large providers and consumers achieve increased energy efficiency.

Hanbit's LoRa-based solutions allow real-time consumption, status and diagnostic data from water systems, which transfers to a central database for billing and analysis. With LoRa Technology's long range and low power capabilities, Hanbit's smart metering solutions decrease maintenance frequency and offer quick deployment.

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms for high-end consumer, enterprise computing, communications, and industrial end-markets. The LoRa-based products are available throughout India. (Source: Semtech Corp., IoT Business News, 26 July, 2018) Contact: Hanbit Automation, Phani Varanasi, CEO, +91 98663 05554, hanbitsolutions.com; Semtech Corp., www.semtech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Semtech Corp.,  ,  Energy Efficiency,  

Clean Energy Finance Corp.,Landis+Gyr
Date: 2018-07-09
The Clean Energy Finance Corp (CEFC), an Australian government owned "green bank", reports it has invested $35 million in debt funding into smart meter technology provider intelliHUB -- a joint venture between Pacific Equity Partners and the Swiss-based global smart meter company LandisGyr.

The CEFC investment is part of a debt finance package to support intelliHUB's growth plans. The CEFC was established to facilitate increased flows of finance into the clean energy sector.

According to CEFC grid solutions and storage lead Simon Brooker, there are approximately 9 million metering points in the national electricity market and by accelerating their conversion to smarter technologies, consumers will benefit from more meaningful information relating to their energy consumption. (Source: CEFC, CIO, Twitter, 4 July, 2018) Contact: CEFC, Ian Learmonth, CEO, www.cefc.com.au; Landis+Gyr, Mike Cooper, General Manager of Distributed Generation and Energy Storage , http://landisgyr.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Energy Finance Corp ,  Smart Meter,  LandisGyr,  

Landis+Gyr,Origin Energy
Date: 2018-05-25
In the Land Down Under, a partnership of Sydney-based Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and global meters giant Landis+Gyr reports it will will $267 million for Origin Energy's Acumen smart meters unit. The move is intended to create a leading business in this key piece of infrastructure for the shift to clean, decentralised energy.

The joint venture, to be known as intelliHUB, will be the country's leading smart meter operator, with long-term cash flows and substantial growth options underpinned by a long-term agreement to deploy and manage digital smart meters for Origin's 4.2 million electricity customers.

Smart meters are becoming crucial as the electricity grid shifts to more decentralised energy resources such as solar panels, batteries and smart appliances. (Source: Landis+Gyr, Australian Financial Review, 24 May, 2018) Contact: Landis+Gyr, Adrian Clark, CEO Australia and NZ, www.landisgyr.com; Origin Energy, Frank Calabria, CEO, www.originenergy.com.au; Pacific Equity Partners, www.pep.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Origin Energy,  Landis&Gyr,  Smart Meter,  

LS Industrial Systems
Date: 2018-01-03
South Korea-based electric power systems provider LS Industrial Systems Co Ltd (LSIS) reports it has begun "commercializing" its smart energy system. The system optimizes the use of energy with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cuts electric power costs.

The company installed its high-capacity energy efficiency and energy storage system intelligent building system (IBS) along with photovoltaics (PV) and smart meters, lighting and heating occupancy detectors, electric blinds controlling natural light and light emitting diodes, which are controlled by BEMS in its R&D headquarters and realized a 70 pct cost savings, according to the company.

LSIS's energy efficiency system analyzes a building's overall electronics, energy consumption and variable energy spending patterns according to the use of renewable energy sources, weather and time. (Source: LS Industrial Systems , Korea Times, 28 Dec., 2017) Contact: LS Industrial Systems , (224) 352-2265 -- US Office, www.lsis.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy
Date: 2017-10-25
In London, the UK government's Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) reports the issuance of its Clean Growth Strategy to achieve a low carbon economy and future.

The strategy emphasizes:

long term goals for greater residential energy efficiency;

continued support for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) policy;

improvd standards in new boiler installations;

a consultation in 2018 on how to make the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the private rental sector more effective;

establishing a clear link between cold homes and ill health, which costs the NHS £760 million per year;

creating the 2032 Pathway, which could see millions more properties insulated, especially those in fuel poverty;

a commitment for a review of building regulations for energy efficiency, following the current review on regulations for both domestic and non-domestic buildings:

use smart meter data to promote energy efficiency;

reform of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to focus on long-term decarbonization, and others. (Source: Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK Landlord News, 24 Oct., 2017) Contact: Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy, https://twitter.com/beisgovuk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Climate Change,Low-Carbon Energy
Date: 2017-10-18
In LOndon, the UK government's just-published Clean Energy Strategy which supposedly leads the way to the low-carbon future that the 2008 Climate Change Act calls for, is being widely criticized as the "same old, shop-worn green remedies -- smart meters, smart grids, EVs, hydrogen, bioenergy, carbon capture and storage, etc. -- dressed up as new solutions at an estimated cost of £20 billion over the next few years.

Down load The Clean Growth Strategy -- Leading the way to a Low Carbon Future HERE. (Source: UK Gov., Seeking Alpha, Various Other Media, 16 Oct., 2017)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low-Carbon Energy,  Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  

Accelerate Group,Green Building
Date: 2017-09-15
In Chicago, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), in partnership with local utility ComEd and the Accelerate Group, reports it is launching the Smart Building Operations Pilot, an innovative program that uses real-time energy data to incentivize energy-efficient choices.

The Smart Building Operations Pilot aims to inform the day-to-day decisions of building equipment operators at 10 large Chicago buildings utilizing smart meters and sub-meters and:

Information -- The building will collect and display energy-use data in real time (or near‐real time), providing direct feedback to a building operator on the energy impact of their actions;

Interpretation -- The building will calculate an energy-use baseline, against which performance will be tracked every half hour, daily, and monthly. To raise awareness, building operators will receive alerts when energy use exceeds or is expected to exceed the baseline;

Motivation -- The program will provide an achievable and meaningful incentive to improve. ComEd will provide up to $5,000 up-front to cover hard costs and $0.05 for each kWh saved compared to the building's baseline.

To date, the combination of Chicago's building energy benchmarking program and ComEd's energy efficiency programs have reportedly saved customers more than $2.5 billion in energy costs. (Source: City of Chicago, Various Media, ProudGreenBuilding, Sept., 2017) Contact: The Accelerate Group, theaccelerategroup.com; ComEd, (312) 394-3500, www.ComEd.com;

More Low-Carbon Energy News SMart Building,  Accelerate Group,  ComEd,  EDF,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Benchmarking,  

Duke Energy
Date: 2017-09-01
Duke Energy reports it plans to add 700 MW of solar power capacity in Florida in the next four years under the terms of an amended agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC). The agreement, which proposes an investment of approximately $6 billion in solar energy, smart meter, grid improvement, new billing options, electric vehicle charging stations and up to 50 MW of battery storage systems, will come into force in January 2018.

Duke Energy intends to start building a 74.9-MW solar park in Jasper, Hamilton County at the beginning of next year. It will be its sixth photovoltaic (PV) facility in the state, comprising about 300,000 solar modules with an expected output sufficient for 20,000 homes. (Source: Duke Energy, RenewablesNow, Others, 30 Aug., 2017) Contact: Duke Energy Florida, Harry Sideris,Pres., www.duke-energy.com; Florida Public Service Commission, www.psc.state.fl.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Duke Energy,  Solar,  PV,  

AGL Energy
Date: 2017-08-18
In the Land Down Under, AGL Energy is offering households with rooftop solar systems Solar Command Check, a free service to help customers with digital meters protect potential savings by monitoring their systems.

Solar Command Check alerts registered customers if it detects a potential problem with their PV systems. Solar Command Check is available to customers on a solar tariff with AGL, a smart meter with more than 30 days of data, who are registered for My Account on the AGL website, have no solar battery and are not already subscribed to our subscription-based Solar Command monitoring service.

AGL Energy is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies providing electricity, gas, solar and renewable energy services to Australian homes and businesses. (Source: AGL, PR, 15 Aug., 2017) Contact: AGL, Garry West, +61 3 8623 831, gwest@agl.com.au, www.agl.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rooftop Solar ,  Solar,  AGL Energy,  

BC Hydro
Date: 2017-08-18
In British Columbia, the BC Hydro utility is reporting the pilot launch of its Powerley Energy Bridge platform to households equipped with smart (AMI) meters. The residential energy management program aims to elevate energy efficiencies and customer engagement through a BC Hydro branded experience called HydroHome.

With the Powerly Energy Bridge program, BC Hydro pilot customers can use their smart phone to manage home energy and smart home devices through the HydroHome app. With a constant connection to the home's smart meter, the Powerley Energy Bridge enables real-time access in energy usage for the home as well as disaggregation into various appliances.

The Powerley Energy Bridge acts as a smart home hub, allowing control and automation of thermostats, power outlets, light switches, sensors and other smart devices. The Powerley platform also allows utilities secure access to analyze behavioral data, execute advanced demand response programs, manage program logistics and capture energy usage insights. (Source: BC Hydro, EL&P, 14 Aug., 2017) Contact: BC Hydro, Tim Mosley, Senior Program Manager, https://twitter.com/timmosley, www.bchydro.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BC Hydro,  SMart Meter,  Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,