Metering.com - 2008

Significant progress in demand response, advanced metering in U.S.

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:29:11 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 30, 2008 - Both advanced metering penetration and potential peak load reduction from demand response have increased significantly in the United States since 2006, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) latest review charting the expansion of these energy saving programs.

Social tariff drive in U.K. doubles uptake

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:28:04 +0200

London, U.K. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 30, 2008 - A drive to increase awareness of energy suppliers’ social or discounted tariffs by the energy regulator Ofgem and the industry over the past year has doubled the uptake of these deals to more than 800,000 with total savings up by more than a third.

In a new review of suppliers’ social programs in 2007-08, Ofgem found that the collective social expenditure of the suppliers over the year was £57.12 million. Most of this social spend was directed at social tariffs, rebates and trust funds, which provide direct assistance to customers in, and vulnerable to, fuel poverty. And the savings to customers on social tariffs – up to more than 800,000 at the end of October from 365,000 at the end of August 2007 – was £33.87 million, an increase of 36 percent on the previous year.

Energy, environmental groups urge quick action by Congress on energy efficiency

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:13:21 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 30, 2008 - An alliance of energy and environmental groups have urged Congress to support advanced metering, smart grid and other energy efficiency initiatives in order to boost the nation’s energy efficiency, create green jobs, and save energy and money.

In a document outlining an “Energy efficiency and economic recovery initiative,” the Alliance to Save Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Energy Future Coalition and Natural Resources Defense Council present a set of proposals aimed at “jump-starting a green jobs market, using the skilled and underemployed construction sector work force that is ready and waiting, and stimulating a large secondary market in product and equipment sales.”

Hawaiian Electric selects AMI solution

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:07:38 +0200

Honolulu. HI, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 30, 2008 - Hawaiian Electric Company has entered into a 15-year agreement with Sensus Metering Systems for the mass deployment of the company’s FlexNet wireless smart grid solution.

The decision comes after two years of rigorous field testing of the FlexNet system, where thousands of smart electric meters were tested in a variety of settings, terrains and environments on the island of Oahu.

Kenya Power and Lighting launches AMR for large customers

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:56:00 +0200

Nairobi, Kenya --- (METERING.COM) --- December 30, 2008 - The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has launched an automatic meter reading (AMR) system for its over 4,000 large power customers.

The AMR system is understood to be costing KPLC KSh67 million (US$0.9 million). The large customers account for 63 percent of the company’s business

RFP for Energy-efficient Projector System - Korea; Closing date January 5, 2009

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:16:05 +0200

Company: The Republic of Korea (PPS) Public Procurement Service
Country: Korea
Product/Service: Request for proposals for Energy-efficient Projector System
Type: RFP
Closing Date: January 5, 2009
Reference: TRAD 1778

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

Market opening in Europe is not delivering for energy consumers

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:27:38 +0200

Brussels, Belgium --- (METERING.COM) --- December 19, 2008 - Despite full market opening in Europe by July 1, 2007, competition in retail gas and electricity markets is almost non-existent, a new review by the European Regulators Group for Electricity and Gas (ERGEG) has found.

The review, giving a status review on progress towards a well functioning European Union energy market, finds that a number of factors are responsible. Among these are narrow geographical markets with highly concentrated retail and wholesale markets, a failure by member states to properly implement the unbundling requirements, the persistence of artificially low regulated prices, and some member states’ apparent lack of political commitment to regulatory independence or to European energy market integration.

EOS and Renault-Nissan partner to develop electric vehicle charging network in Switzerland

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:21:08 +0200

Rolle, Switzerland --- (METERING.COM) --- December 19, 2008 - Swiss utility Energie Ouest Suisse (EOS) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance have entered into an agreement to develop solutions for zero emission mobility in Switzerland through the promotion of electric vehicles and the establishment of a battery charging network.

Under the agreement the two companies will study ways of implementing a battery charging network throughout Switzerland. They will also create and support training activities for the promotion and use of electric vehicles.

Gas Natural Mexico to introduce prepayment

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:19:27 +0200

Mexico City, Mexico --- (METERING.COM) --- December 19, 2008 - Gas Natural Mexico is reported to be planning to introduce prepayment meters as a measure to assist customers through the current economic crisis.

José García Sanleandro, director of customer service, was quoted as saying the meters would be introduced around the end of the first quarter of 2009, with 15,000 prepayment meters to be installed in the north of the country.

World Bank gives $40 million for water metering, service improvements in Nicaragua

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:18:01 +0200

Managua, Nicaragua --- (METERING.COM) --- December 19, 2008 - The World Bank has granted US$40 million for metering and other infrastructure to increase access to reliable water and sanitation services in the Greater Managua region of Nicaragua.

The project, the Greater Managua Water and Sanitation Project (Proyecto de Agua y Saneamiento en Managua, PRASMA), is aimed at providing access to reliable water supply to an additional 150,000 people and access to improved sanitation services to an additional 120,000 people. The vast majority of these people live in very poor neighborhoods in the Greater Managua region, which comprises the metropolitan area of Managua and adjacent municipalities, including the satellite cities of Tipitapa and Ciudad Sandino.

Multi-meter lock-off system for apartment complexes to protect against tampering

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:54:59 +0200

Bridgeport, CT, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 19, 2008 - Global producer of security systems for the electric, gas and water utility industries, Highfield Manufacturing Company, has introduced the Multi-Maxx™ electric meter bar, a patented security device designed to lock off banks of ringless-type electric meter enclosures found in apartment and multi-family complexes.

Demand response in U.S. barely scratching the surface of potential

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:58:17 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2008 - Current energy efficiency and demand response/load management programs are barely scratching the surface of what is achievable, according to the U.S. Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC) in a new draft report on the nation’s electricity supply adequacy to the Department of Energy (DOE).

The report says utilities in many states have been implementing energy efficiency and demand response/load management programs, some for more than two decades. According to one source, U.S. electric utilities spent $14.7 billion on these programs from 1989-1999 – an average of $1.3 billion per year. Since the year 2000, investments in demand side resources have steadily increased as states that have traditionally offered programs have expanded their programs and other states have begun implementing their programs. For example, in 2007 and 2008, 10 states enacted legislation or regulations setting binding energy savings goals for utilities.

Ofgem demands U.K. utilities cut energy bills

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:50:34 +0200

London, U.K. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2008 - U.K. energy regulator Ofgem has said it is not satisfied with the pace of delivery of savings to prepayment and other customers who it believes are being charged unfair premiums by suppliers and it has threatened action against such unfair pricing.

Raleigh completes new water meter rollout

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:20:06 +0200

Raleigh, NC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2008 - The City of Raleigh has completed installing about 174,000 new AMR water meters at homes and businesses, almost four years ahead of schedule.

The first meters were installed in October 2006 and the rollout was scheduled for completion in 2012. However, with additional funding for the project, it was possible to complete it early.

Rules and procedures proposed for testing, maintenance of meters in Philippines

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:19:06 +0200

Manila, Philippines --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2008 - Under new draft rules issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), it is proposed that distribution utilities in the Philippines must ensure that all electric meters they put in service are tested and sealed by the Commission and that while the meters are in service, they should be tested at least once every two years.