Metering.com - 2009

Nosbaum to step down, Eliassen to step up

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:52:43 +0200

LeRoy Nosbaum is to retire as executive chairman of Itron’s Board of Directors at the end of the year, concluding 13 years of service with the company, including 8 years as chairman.

Jon Eliassen, an independent director since 1987, has been elected chairman effective January 1, 2010.

“LeRoy has made significant contributions to Itron’s growth and leadership during his tenure,” said Malcolm Unsworth, president and CEO of Itron. “He led the company through many strategic acquisitions and he leaves Itron well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that are happening in this industry. We wish LeRoy the best of luck in this next phase of his life and I look forward to working with Jon in his new role as chairman of the Board.”

First awards made under Ontario’s feed-in tariff program

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:38:54 +0200

Toronto, ON, Canada --- (METERING.COM) --- December 23, 2009 - The first seven hundred Ontarians from Ottawa to Windsor to Thunder Bay have been given the go ahead to generate renewable electricity under the province’s new feed-in tariff (FIT) program.

The new microFIT program encourages the development of small-scale renewable energy (10 kW or less) from a diverse range of producers, including homeowners, schools, farmers and small businesses. It is part of a broader Ontario FIT program, which is also aimed at encouraging community-owned and aboriginal-led projects.

CFE selects AMI solution to reduce non-technical losses

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:33:02 +0200

Mexico City, Mexico and St Louis, MI, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 23, 2009 - Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) has selected the TWACS (R) technology as part of its advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployment.

Initial implementation of Aclara’s pole-mounted and socket-type TWACS solution is planned for Acapulco, which is serviced by CFE’s South-Center Division, to support the utility’s plans to reduce non-technical losses.

EnBW ODR selects AMI solution

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:17:52 +0200

Erlangen, Germany --- (METERING.COM) --- December 23, 2009 - Southern German utility EnBW Ostwürttemberg Donau Ries AG (EnBW ODR) has selected Siemens to supply its smart metering infrastructure based on the metering and distribution network automation system AMIS.

The system will be supplemented by a modern meter data management system. It links the metering system via an SAP-certified interface to existing IT systems, such as a work management system, internet portal, central ripple control system and systems for data exchange based on Edifact standard.

Majority of Americans support new technologies for smart grid and improved home energy management

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:05:15 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 23, 2009 - The majority of American people support their utilities offering more technologies for home energy management and smart metering which are key parts of creating a national energy smart grid, according to a new poll from TechNet.

“The American people strongly support cutting edge innovations to help them save money on their energy bills and change their electricity consumption,” said Jim Hawley, acting CEO of TechNet. “As the world gathered in Copenhagen over the past few weeks to discuss better ways to manage our energy resources, this data proves that our citizens are willing to embrace technology to become more efficient and on save on energy costs.”

State-of-art customer care and electricity complaint center inaugurated in Punjab

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:45:02 +0200

Ludhiana, India --- (METERING.COM) --- December 23, 2009 - Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art customer care and electricity complaint center for the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) in Ludhiana.

Such centers are also due to be opened at Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Bathinda at a cost of Rs18 crores (US$3.8 million). Subsequently they will also be provided to a further 47 towns and cities in the state.

Metering code of practice panel recommended for all-Ireland market

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:32:02 +0200

Dublin, Ireland and Belfast, Northern Ireland --- (METERING.COM) --- December 22, 2009 - The establishment of a metering code of practice panel is one of the recommendations for moving the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland towards a common retail tariff structure.

Further the panel should be tasked with considering the specification for time-of-use meters for smaller premises, as an interim to the rollout of smart meters.

Partnership to provide real time energy use information

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:20:27 +0200

Cambridge, U.K. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 22, 2009 - Consumer energy display provider Green Energy Options Ltd and Echelon Corporation have announced a collaboration to develop energy displays for Echelon’s Networked Energy Services (NES) advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution.

Meter Data Management System delivers with CIM-compliant interfaces

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:11:05 +0200

Bloomington, MN, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 22, 2009 - Meter data management system provider Ecologic Analytics claims to be among the first MDMS providers to deliver a solution with native interfaces based on the IEC 61968 Part 9 standard.

The interfaces support the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) smart grid interoperability requirements and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) obligations. By taking a strong Common Information Model (CIM)-based approach for its native interface design, the Ecologic MDMS is directly aligned with the smart grid requirements established by NIST and the DOE.

RFP for transformer for measuring apparatus - Germany; Closing date January 18, 2010

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:55:23 +0200

Country: Germany
Product/Service: Request for proposals for transformer for measuring apparatus
Type: RFP
Closing Date: January 18, 2010
Reference: TRAD 1846

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

More stimulus support for smart grids in the U.S.

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:14:32 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 21, 2009 - The smart grid in the United States is to benefit from additional stimulus funding awards to strengthen the nation’s electric transmission networks and for the broadband program.

Last week $60 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was announced to support transmission planning for the country’s three interconnection transmission networks – the Eastern, Western, and Texas interconnections.

'e-mobility Berlin' delivers smart solutions for electric mobility

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:46:45 +0200

Berlin, Germany --- (METERING.COM) --- December 21, 2009 - Berlin utility RWE and auto manufacturer Daimler have launched the next phase of the “e-mobility Berlin” initiative with the handover of the first smart fortwo electric drives to customers together with the official launch of RWE’s electricity charging infrastructure.

Ontarians to make 2010 an energy efficient year

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:33:23 +0200

Toronto, ON, Canada --- (METERING.COM) --- December 21, 2009 - Toronto residents will be turning down their energy in 2010, with 86 percent planning to make an energy efficiency New Year’s resolution, according to a new survey commissioned by Direct Energy.

This follows an energy efficient holiday season, with 80 percent of Ontarians already have or are in the process of switching to energy efficient holiday lights.

European regulators set out position on smart grid

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:14:39 +0200

Brussels, Belgium --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2009 - The deployment of new smart grid technologies must be a means to an end and not an end in itself, with investment providing better value and direct benefits for all grid users, as well as indirect benefits such as greater diversity both for the electricity supply system and society as a whole.

This is the “technology neutral” view of the European Regulators’ Group for Electricity and Gas (ERGEG) in a new position paper on smart grids.

PG&E smart grid project first to be approved by FERC using new policy

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:10:09 +0200

Washington, DC, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- December 18, 2009 - A smart grid project from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has become the first to be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under its new policy on priorities for the development of smart grid standards.

Using the policy the FERC agreed that PG&E can recover a portion of its costs in transmission rates for a regional project that will ensure electric power reliability for consumers and integrate variable renewable resources into its system.