Smart grid's aim: wiser power use
Xcel hopes project in Boulder leads to 'new energy age'
By Gargi Chakrabarty, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Xcel Energy is on track to become the world's first utility to dramatically transform the way it delivers power to a city.
Colorado's biggest utility officially launched its ambitious $100 million "smart grid" project on Thursday in Boulder.
When completed in 2009, the project will allow Boulder customers to gather real-time information about how much electricity they use, and at what cost, at different times of the day.
Xcel hopes that Boulderites will make consumption decisions based on the information and cut usage during peak hours of the day, saving Xcel the expense of buying or generating more power at those times.
"This is a forward-thinking project that will transform the way we do business," said Dick Kelly, Xcel's chairman, president and CEO. "In SmartGridCity, our customers will have more information, including the tools to communicate directly with us, and will choose when and how they use their energy based on price, generating resource or convenience."
Xcel's program costs will be covered through electric rates it charges customers.
Eight cities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado were finalists for the project, but Boulder won because of its size and its high number of educated and Internet-savvy customers.
An estimated 85 percent of the city has residential high-speed Internet access, and 70 percent of the city's residents 25 and older have at least a bachelor's degree.
The city was among the first to buy open space, implement curbside recycling and collect a carbon tax from residents to fight global warming pollution.
"SmartGrid is a visionary idea, which will lead us out of the old energy economy to the new energy age," Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath said.
Phase 1, which runs through August, includes installation of smart meters at residences and businesses, placement of high- speed communication equipment in power transformers to enable quick flow of information, and gauging customer reaction.
"The challenge is to integrate the different parts of the technology and get those to work together," said Roy Palmer, Xcel's executive director of government and regulatory affairs.
chakrabartyg@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2976
Project timeline
* March: Communications network design completed and equipment orders placed.
* May-August: Phase 1, which includes updating two substations.
* June: Begin smart-meter installations.
* August: Build-out of smart grid control center and operations center.
* September: Begin in-home automation for selected homes.
* September-December: Phase 2, updating remaining substations and distribution systems.
* November: Begin customer outreach.
* July-December 2009: Evaluation period.
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May 16, 2008
6:50 a.m.
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rellimpank writes:
-----I am amused by this "new" idea--the power company serving my folks' farm in Wisconsin has had "smart power" in the form of off-peak discounts for water heaters and electric heating for fifty years, now---started out as a clock on the targeted usage and is now radio-controlled-
May 16, 2008
8:18 a.m.
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davies writes:
$100 million to tell people in Boulder they should turn off their air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. Sounds like a new plank for the Democrats to add to their platform at the DNC: "Let's spend $100 BILLION and do this nationwide." These are exciting times.
May 16, 2008
10:05 a.m.
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RainbowWarrior writes:
There is no return on investment with out investment in the first place. If we can avoid building more coal power plants by working smarter and not harder, what's wrong with that? This country still leads the world in technology, but with some of your atitudes towards anything that might help the environment we will soon surrender that lead as well, and maintain the status quo for the shrinking minority of conservatives that have no vission of the furue as it could be, at the expense of the majority of Americans yet to be born.
May 16, 2008
10:26 a.m.
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Bagel writes:
Gene, that's not entirely true. The power companies are forced to buy surplus energy from those whose own supply exceeds their own needs (like those with multiple solar panels and low consumption, for example).
May 16, 2008
10:28 a.m.
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davies writes:
"There is no return on investment with out investment in the first place." True, but foolish investments are made every day. The issue is not whether to invest, it is how to invest wisely to assure the maximum return, or at least a commeasurate return.
This idea looks like it arose from a mentality of "If it looks green - throw money at it!" Other people's money, of course.
May 16, 2008
10:46 a.m.
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MattGuyver_007 writes:
Ditto Davies- this is another ridiculous 'feel good' idea that people like RainbowWarrior selfishly support because it makes them feel oh so responsible and cheer on Excel. I'd be more inclined to support such a program on a much smaller scale- 100 million is out of line! Instead, give the 100 million to support the light rail expansion and then grab your watch and read your meter on occasion.
Screw science, let's build massive, inefficient and unsightly solar arrays and wind turbines so we can all 'feel good' at our next benefit party despite the fact that these forms of energy production work only to appease the selfish folks among us who support anything that appears environmentally friendly without considering many other factors.
May 16, 2008
12:27 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Build Nuclear power plants. Many people fear what they do not understand.