Demand Response

While many people don’t know what a virtual power plant is, those who do still might not realize the scale of the impact they could have on our energy system. One up and coming start-up is showing that virtual power plants aren’t just about turning buildings into power generating facilities but potentially turning real estate […]

Solar panels glimmer from millions of rooftops around the world, providing power more efficiently and cheaply than ever before. Energy storage systems are becoming commonplace, feeding on excess solar power then releasing it when the sun goes down or when grid electricity rates are high. Sensors and communication technology throughout the grid allows for intelligent […]

Blockchain may be best known for its cryptocurrency applications but it is promising to be a game-changing force in any application that requires certification and exchange. As part of our April Blockchain Series, we explore the hype surrounding the blockchain’s potential for the Internet of Things (IoT), through applications in smart buildings, cities and grids. […]

Across the pond, in the UK, energy storage is waning under the limits of its regulatory framework, and experts believe changes must be made to support this vital piece of the energy puzzle. Meanwhile, in the US, a recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) strategy seeks to “open the floodgates” for energy storage using wholesale […]

In the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, the Japanese government embarked upon the largest deregulation of any electricity market worldwide. Through their restructuring they not only want to push away from nuclear energy, but also to promote renewable energy and help modernize the Japanese electric grid by introducing competitive services and flexible […]

This article was written by Daphne Tomlinson, Independent Senior Research Associate at Memoori. Competition is intensifying as European utility groups challenge players from the building automation, energy services and technical facilities management sectors in offering smart building technologies, software and services. The focus of investments is in two areas: 1. IoT solutions and software platforms […]

In this historic hurricane season, the fragility of existing energy infrastructure is on full display. One bright spot in all the coverage of Hurricane Harvey in Houston was that the microgrid equipped H.E.B. Grocery chain of stores kept its shops open and served the public, while power outages kept competitors closed. Each such microgrid success […]

So smart meters send data on electricity consumption to smart grids enabled with demand response that balance everything to make the most of renewable energy and empower consumers with solar panels to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Sounds wonderful but what about privacy? “The two types of data collected by smart grid technologies […]