The U.S. electric power grid is a heavily regulated and largely utility-owned infrastructure carrying electricity from power plants to homes and businesses.
Within this infrastructure are layers of equipment for managing the transmission and distribution (T&D) networks and different local networks for delivering remote measurement and control communications.
The development of a next-generation electric power grid enhanced with intelligent communications and IT systems is one of the major energy technology challenges for the United States for the coming decade.
The smart grid represents a significant move away from the historical, utility-owned electricity distribution infrastructure to an internet-like networked infrastructure that directly connects utilities (supply) with customers (demand).
Smart Grid uses an amalgam of advanced components, technologies and applications to integrate renewable power sources enable energy efficiency in home electricity use and electrify transportation.
This vastly complex machine not only introduces additional layers of advanced technology but with it, many new stakeholders from adjacent markets - IT companies, wireless network providers, advanced battery makers, automakers, makers of home automation products and services and smart home appliances.
This report walks readers through the forest of smart grid definitions, technologies, applications, standards, emerging scenarios and deployments underway - and explains the big problems yet to be solved in the areas of interoperability standards (where there is progress) and renewable integration and energy storage, where more R&D and financial incentives are needed to make the smart grid a “greener grid,” too.
The report highlights the strategies and activities of the many players involved in the emerging smart grid industry in the United States, including activities of the utilities, technology providers, state regulators and Department of Energy (DOE).
The report includes capsule profiles of more than 70 companies that are jockeying for market-leading positions or attempting to grow businesses that serve the smart grid infrastructure and services markets.
It also gives details on 18 smart grid advanced demonstrations projects aimed at testing the concepts of virtual power plants and microgrids and the integration of different distributed energy resources and storage technologies.
The report presents these latest trends and the prospects of the emerging smart grid in eight sections:
1. Smart Grid Structure
2. U.S. Government Planning & Funding
3. Demonstration Projects, Technologies & Operations
4. Standards: Now & Future
5. Market Trends: 2009-2015
6. High-Growth Areas in the Near Future: Activity & Strategy
7. States Supporting the High-Growth Areas
8. Other Market Participants: Activities and Strategies
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