UK, US Officials Express Smart Grid Urgency

Friday, 27 May 2011 11:20

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New figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change indicate that greenhouse gases, including CO2, rose by nearly three percent in 2010, raising concerns that meeting the UK’s 2022 target of reducing emissions by 35 percent will be a serious challenge.

These figures coincide with the announcement that the government plans to install 53 million smart meters country wide, although smart meters are only part of the solution. As the economy rebounds, fossil fuel use will increase. Carbon dioxide emissions from homes, which are mainly caused by central heating and cooking, rose by 13.4 percent in 2010, meaning consumers need to adjust their usage as soon as possible.

Vince Barry, Marketing Manager of Heating for Carillion Energy Services, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of heating and renewable energy, warns that people need to act now to reduce their environmental impact, and also reduce their bills. To this end, the company has produced a guide with energy efficiency tips.

Suggestions include turning down the thermostat; setting your heat and hot water to come on only when necessary; reduce your water temperature; don’t obstruct your radiators; bleed your radiators regularly. This removes unwanted air which obstructs the flow of hot water round the system making it less efficient.

At the ConnectivityWeek Smart Grid conference in Silicon Valley, Aneesh Chopra, CTO of the United States, echoed the need to promote energy efficiency and fostering innovation around Smart Grid, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Specifically, he asked, “How can we safely and securely provide customers electronic access to their energy information, thereby supporting the continuing development of innovative new products and services in the energy sector?”

According to Chopra, meeting President Obama’s goal of 80 percent clean energy by 2035 “demands a modernized electrical grid. My thesis is there’s never been a better time to be an innovator. Data is the new currency for the innovation economy.”

Anto Budiardjo, Clasma Events president and CEO, notes, “Aneesh Chopra energized the ConnectivityWeek crowd and delivered a clear message for entrepreneurs here in Silicon Valley and throughout the country. We are thrilled to have such a strong commitment to smart energy from the top levels of government and to provide the opportunity for industry-wide collaboration in support of these goals.”