Smarter grid through collective intelligence: user awareness for enhanced performance

This paper examines the scenario of a university campus, and the impact on energy consumption of the awareness of building managers and users (lecturers, students and administrative staff).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

New Business Development

This article discusses ways in which the states and the federal government can promote the continued development of new business. Carey identifies three reforms in which states could institute that would improve the business climate: taxes, development finance initiatives and regulatory reform. He discusses how current tax policies discourage risk taking behavior and suggests that any tax cut should aim to increase the liquidity available for capital investment, such as exempting investments made within a firm\u27s first five years of existence from state capital gains tax, refunding investment tax credits, and broadening state sales tax exemptions. Carey also highlights how states could improve the operation of private markets with the use of public pension funds, exemptions to state usury law limitations and policies that incentivize private investment. However, infrastructure and energy issues are significant obstacles that need to be addressed in order to accomplish this business development. Carey also examines the federal government\u27s role in this endeavor, arguing that it should lay the groundwork for increased economic stimulation in the future through strategic tax cuts and a reduction of fiscal federalism. Specifically, Carey notes that domestic programs should be administered jointly by federal and state governments to ensure consistency and efficiency in federal policies

New Business Development

This article discusses ways in which the states and the federal government can promote the continued development of new business. Carey identifies three reforms in which states could institute that would improve the business climate: taxes, development finance initiatives and regulatory reform. He discusses how current tax policies discourage risk taking behavior and suggests that any tax cut should aim to increase the liquidity available for capital investment, such as exempting investments made within a firm\u27s first five years of existence from state capital gains tax, refunding investment tax credits, and broadening state sales tax exemptions. Carey also highlights how states could improve the operation of private markets with the use of public pension funds, exemptions to state usury law limitations and policies that incentivize private investment. However, infrastructure and energy issues are significant obstacles that need to be addressed in order to accomplish this business development. Carey also examines the federal government\u27s role in this endeavor, arguing that it should lay the groundwork for increased economic stimulation in the future through strategic tax cuts and a reduction of fiscal federalism. Specifically, Carey notes that domestic programs should be administered jointly by federal and state governments to ensure consistency and efficiency in federal policies

The Local Dimension of Energy

In this paper, we postulate that some of the best opportunities for reducing energy demand and carbon emissions are through stronger involvement and leadership from local government. We show that local government can and do have a significant impact on both energy production and energy consumption and are important participants for the implementation of distributed generation (DG). the progress being made by successful local governments can be narrowed to three key factors. First, they have all recognised the co-benefits of a local energy strategy: a reduction in fuel poverty, increased employment, improved quality of life and mitigation of uncertain fuel supplies and prices. Secondly, successful councils have strong political leadership and employee support to implement the structural change to bring about change. Thirdly, leading councils have gained momentum by working in partnership with utilities, private companies, NGO’s, DNO’s and government departments to raise finance and garner support. While climate change remains a global issue, some of the best strategies for mitigation are implemented at the local level

Scenarios for the development of smart grids in the UK: literature review

Smart grids are expected to play a central role in any transition to a low-carbon energy future, and much research is currently underway on practically every area of smart grids. However, it is evident that even basic aspects such as theoretical and operational definitions, are yet to be agreed upon and be clearly defined. Some aspects (efficient management of supply, including intermittent supply, two-way communication between the producer and user of electricity, use of IT technology to respond to and manage demand, and ensuring safe and secure electricity distribution) are more commonly accepted than others (such as smart meters) in defining what comprises a smart grid. It is clear that smart grid developments enjoy political and financial support both at UK and EU levels, and from the majority of related industries. The reasons for this vary and include the hope that smart grids will facilitate the achievement of carbon reduction targets, create new employment opportunities, and reduce costs relevant to energy generation (fewer power stations) and distribution (fewer losses and better stability). However, smart grid development depends on additional factors, beyond the energy industry. These relate to issues of public acceptability of relevant technologies and associated risks (e.g. data safety, privacy, cyber security), pricing, competition, and regulation; implying the involvement of a wide range of players such as the industry, regulators and consumers. The above constitute a complex set of variables and actors, and interactions between them. In order to best explore ways of possible deployment of smart grids, the use of scenarios is most adequate, as they can incorporate several parameters and variables into a coherent storyline. Scenarios have been previously used in the context of smart grids, but have traditionally focused on factors such as economic growth or policy evolution. Important additional socio-technical aspects of smart grids emerge from the literature review in this report and therefore need to be incorporated in our scenarios. These can be grouped into four (interlinked) main categories: supply side aspects, demand side aspects, policy and regulation, and technical aspects.

The co-evolutionary relationship between energy service companies and the UK energy system: Implications for a low-carbon transition

The Energy Service Company (ESCo) business model is designed to reward businesses by satisfying consumers' energy needs at less cost and with fewer carbon emissions via energy demand management and/or sustainable supply measures. In contrast, the revenue of the incumbent Energy Utility Company (EUCo) model is coupled with the sale of units of energy, which are predominantly sourced from fossil fuels. The latter is currently dominant in the UK. This paper addresses two questions. First, why has the ESCo model traditionally been confined to niche applications? Second, what role is the ESCo model likely to play in the transition to a low-carbon UK energy system? To answer these, the paper examines the core characteristics of the ESCo model, relative to the EUCo model. The paper then examines how ESCos have co-evolved with the various dimensions of the energy system (i.e. ecosystems, institutions, user practices, technologies and business models) to provide insight into how ESCos might help to shape the future UK energy system. We suggest that institutional and technological changes within the UK energy system could result in a more favourable selection environment for ESCos, consequently enabling the ESCo model to proliferate at the expense of the EUCo model. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd