tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863581843088370950.post5831376585444582781..comments2024-03-09T02:19:45.780-05:00Comments on BlawgConomics: Summary and some thoughts regarding the SmartGrid Conference at the Brookings InstitutionJosh Sturtevanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00080334341099916281noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7863581843088370950.post-55870736974036559792009-09-15T14:05:16.452-04:002009-09-15T14:05:16.452-04:00Interesting take on the FERC Open Meeting. I have...Interesting take on the FERC Open Meeting. I have just a few thoughts:<br /><br />1. SmartGrid is an innovative approach to reducing peak demand usage. However, I see this application taking off in the industrial setting moreso than residential. Industrial customers have the resources and flexibility to actively manage their load to maximize their efficiency and useage to minimize demand during peak (expensive) times. Similarly, this is why industrial customers were more apt to respond to utility deregulation, and switch from Provider of Last Resorts to retail electricity marketers. <br /><br />2. SmartGrid opens the door for innovative industrial and commercial products. My favorite example is the air conditioner that runs at night, cooling some temperature storage medium (making ice cubes at midnight!) and then slowly releases that stored energy during the day as opposed to running the air conditioner. <br /><br />3. How much does the nation need to even the peak demand curve? If we ever get to evening the demand curve, we can run our nukes without having to call up the expensive, price setting natural gas burners. But is this effective?<br /><br />4. Wind and Solar are interesting technologies, but without governmental incentives to develop the technology (or guarantees to put infrastructure in place) it is very risky to invest.<br /><br />5. What is this administration's thoughts on nuclear? Will we develop a waste repository? Will we allow nuclear waste recycling? Those questions have to be answered before any investors can seriously gauge the risk in developing nuclear.Samhithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04190882657989864240noreply@blogger.com