By Colin Smart, Senior Program Manager at Con Edison
In energy circles, people often refer to the “smart grid,” to describe the modernized electric grid. And a smart grid is undoubtedly critical to creating sustainable and efficient power distribution. But the fixed nature of the term “smart grid,” undermines the number of creative solutions we are constantly exploring in the energy management space. With technology constantly evolving and participation by consumers – commercial, industrial, and residential – growing, we are continually pushing for a “smarter” smart grid.
But building a smarter grid relies on having empowered consumers. If consumers understand how, when, and where they use energy, they can make the best choices for managing their electricity efficiency. In August 2014, Con Edison issued virtual building audits to customers in the Brooklyn and Queens target area who used more than 100 kW of electricity (that’s 100 medium-sized air-conditioners).
(To learn more about our cost-saving programs for customers in Brooklyn and Queens, go to: http://www.coned.com/energyefficiency/Neighborhood_program.asp)
Using the results of the audits, we were able to show customers how to better manage their electricity use – whether their equipment could be shut off after the business is closed, their lighting fixtures could be updated to be more economical, or whether their air conditioning needs could be met more efficiently .
A smarter grid also relies on continually identifying innovative solutions for managing electricity. Last year, Con Edison issued a Request for Information (“RFI”), to gain information from qualified vendors on possible approaches to more efficient energy management. (The RFI details are at http://www.coned.com/energyefficiency/competitive_solutions_opportunities.asp. With 78 responses to our RFI, Con Edison has been working with experts, both internal and external, to develop methods and tools to compare the potential costs and benefits of these diverse solutions.
Making apples-to-apples comparisons is no easy task when you are comparing efficient lighting to solar power to battery storage to on-call electricity conservation (demand response). Other factors such as building integrity (sealed windows and doors, good insulation) are critical to reducing electricity (for cooling) and gas (for heating) consumption, in addition to making the building more resilient to weather events.
Creating the right balance of these solutions will be key to delivering reliable outcomes, effective cost management, and, most importantly, benefits to the community.
Balancing the range of existing and evolving solutions, while creating a method to apply these solutions, is a complex jigsaw but is important in our quest for an ever smarter grid.
