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Tale of Two Grids

What a review of PUC cases tells us about the future of consumer technology and grid modernization.

There may be a more fundamental schism that raises fundamental questions about the role of the distribution utility and footprint of the natural monopoly.
Byline: 

Cameron Brooks

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Efficiency on Display

Texas program succeeds, but faces sunset.

A program in Texas is helping low-income customers benefit from energy savings devices that connect to the smart meter like in-home energy monitors and smart thermostats.
Byline: 

Wannie Park

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Smart Grid Isn't Dead

Some may wince at the term, but let’s not run away.

Anti-smart meter activists may be gaining some traction, while those with a stake in educating and engaging consumers over smart grid have not.
Byline: 

Patty Durand

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Distribution Optimization: Ready for Takeoff

Part 1: How markets today are out of sync.

The time has come to consider options for optimizing distributed energy resources, with the intent of supporting a least-cost, reliable, and clean system that delivers more choice and control for customers.
Byline: 

Sonia Aggarwal and Robbie Orvis

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Microgrids: Friend or Foe for Utilities?

For many, it’s the next logical step for smart grid technology.

A small, but growing, number of utilities are embracing these technologies. Microgrids offer a networking platform that the utility can both aggregate and optimize.
Byline: 

Peter Asmus

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Architecting the Future

Consumers now are setting the agenda.

Accenture lays out the map for navigating the utility landscape, where customer engagement is the name of the game, and digital makes the rules.
Byline: 

Tim Porter, Naomi Manley-Casimir, and Aaron Saint

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Smart by Default

Time-varying rates from the get-go – not just by opt-in.

Default enrollment for time-varying rates, with an opt-out, will reduce peak demand and far more than a default flat rate with a TVR opt-in.
Byline: 

Ahmad Faruqui, Ryan Hledik, and Neil Lessem

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Social Intelligence

Harnessing the true power of social media.

Customers expect their utilities to communicate as well as other service providers. This shouldn’t be considered a burden, but an opportunity.
Byline: 

John Kunasek and Rilck Noel

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DSM: Don’t Stop Maximizing

Useful analytics to improve program performance.

Turning interval meter data into analytics to improve program performance for demand-side management.
Byline: 

Erik Gilbert, Brian Eakin, and Pace Goodman

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