CON-EDISON- "The company is continuing deployment of Smart Grid technologies that have attracted the attention of utilities around the country.

May 05, 2011 17:04 ET

Con Edison Reports 2011 First Quarter Earnings

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 5, 2011) - Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED) today reported first quarter earnings of $311 million or $1.07 a share compared with $226 million or $0.80 a share in 2010. Earnings from ongoing operations, which exclude the net mark-to-market effects of the competitive energy businesses, were $289 million or $0.99 a share compared with $264 million or $0.93 a share in 2010.

"First quarter results were in line with expectations," said Kevin Burke, the company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The company is continuing deployment of Smart Grid technologies that have attracted the attention of utilities around the country. Our energy efficiency programs also are helping customers lower their bills while improving the region's air quality and environment. These innovative programs have the added benefit of deferring the need for additional capital investment."

Ambient Corporation Announces Preliminary Financial Results for First Quarter 2011: Revenue up 613%

Press Release Source: Ambient Corporation On Thursday April 28, 2011, 4:38 pm EDT

BOSTON, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation(OTCBB:ABTG.ob - News), a pioneer in the development of smart grid communications infrastructure, announced today that based on a preliminary review of its financial results, the Company expects revenues for the first quarter to be approximately $12 million compared to approximately $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, representing an increase of 613%. Ambient also expects to have its second consecutive quarter of profitability, and to generate approximately $1.1 million in net income.

More from Shareholder meeting: http://www.ambientcorp.com/2011__Ambient_Stockholder_Meeting.pdf

Duke Energy reports on sustainability progress and plans for the future

Friday, Apr 22, 2011

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has released its 2010|2011 Sustainability Report.

"Delivering Today. Investing for Our Future." describes what the company is doing to meet the current and coming needs of its customers and other stakeholders.

http://sustainabilityreport.duke-energy.com/innovative-products-and-services/moving-toward-a-secure-digital-grid/

Moving Toward a Secure, Digital Grid

We are implementing digital technologies in our century-old power grid to build a secure and flexible network that can handle today’s advancements in energy — and tomorrow’s.

The digital grid will improve the flexibility and resiliency of our electric system. This means improved efficiency, better power quality and reliability, and more options for renewable energy, energy storage and plug-in electric vehicles. And, it will enable us to offer new efficiency programs to give customers greater control over their energy use and costs.

Ohio

We received regulatory approval to implement the smart grid in Ohio in 2008. In 2010, we began full-scale deployment of the technology.

• Ohio is the first state in Duke Energy’s footprint to modernize its power delivery system with digital technology.
• Duke Energy has installed approximately 140,000 smart electric meters, 100,000 smart gas meters, and 22,000 communication nodes in Ohio — eliminating the need for manual meter readings and giving customers greater insight into their daily energy usage.
• We are installing distribution automation equipment, such as relays, circuit breakers and sensors, to improve reliability. This digital equipment can automatically shorten power outages and even prevent them altogether. The technology also improves the system’s efficiency by reducing the amount of energy lost from the lines as it travels long distances.
• Installations will grow to more than 1 million smart electric and gas meters and other components over the next five years.

CYBER SECURITY

Emerging technologies — regardless of industry — always open new avenues of risk. Duke Energy is continually assessing and improving its security plan to keep pace with growing cyber-threats, regulatory and oversight expectations, and evolving digital grid technologies.

Duke Energy’s digital grid components are protected with layers of cyber and physical security:

• The company employs skilled information technology experts who constantly monitor our system’s security.
• Our active relationships with manufacturers and regulators help ensure that we have a broad view of real-time cyber-security threats and can respond to them appropriately. We review security as part of the new-technology design process, and include security requirements when procuring new equipment. We also test new equipment, and request upgrades and fixes if problems are identified.
• Our robust cyber-security policies help ensure the safety of our power delivery system, including the digital grid.

Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana’s original proposal to install 800,000 smart meters was rejected by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in late 2009. But the commission asked us to come back with a scaled-back smart grid rollout plan.

• In April 2010, we filed a plan to install 40,000 smart meters and distribution automation, and to pilot time-of-use rates, electric vehicles, distributed solar generation and stationary battery storage.
• The test area includes 39,000 residential customers and 1,000 commercial customers just north of Indianapolis.
• We will collect pilot data for a year. We then hope to be able to demonstrate to regulators that the programs should be implemented across our service territory.
• Duke Energy presented the plan during an IURC hearing in July 2010. We anticipate a ruling in 2011.

Kentucky and the Carolinas

We’re working through the planning process to finalize full-scale deployment plans in Kentucky and the Carolinas. In the meantime, we will use information from our North Carolina pilot programs and our Ohio rollout to enhance the customer experience in our other service territories.

The Cost Of The Smart Grid: $476 Billion

3:00 PM - April 14, 2011 - By Douglas Perry - 

Source : EPRI

Is it really worth it?

Back in 2004, the number was predicted to be about $165 billion. The new estimate is based on a steady deployment of smart grid technologies between 2010 and 2030. The increase in cost is apparently due to more advanced technologies as well as a "more expansive vision" for the grid.

While the number seems to be outrageous, the EPRI also said that the benefits could reach about $2 trillion. The benefits are measured in lower cost for energy delivery, greater energy capacity that is achieved through greater efficiency and fewer outages, enhanced security, improved quality of life, safety as well as greater consumer productivity.  

So, who is going to pay for a clever power system? The EPRI suggests that "society" should bear the costs of the upgrade - "and paid directly, bundled with other goods and services or otherwise included by the utility in its cost of service."

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/smart-grid-power-conversion-electrical-grid,news-10835.html

16,000% gains from the Cisco of the smart grid !!!

16,000% gains from the Cisco of the smart grid !!!

Does Anyone of you knows what company is this?

The Smart Grid: Bigger than Bill Gates
http://stockgumshoe.com/2009/10/the-smart-grid-bigger-than-bill-gates.html

"The Cisco of the Smart Grid"

As you probably know, many people got rich from the emergence of the Internet.

The best example might be Cisco Systems. The Internet-hardware company handed investors 16,637% gains from 1990 to 2000.

But some investors will get even richer off the emergence of a new Internet.

This one will be 1,000 times bigger than the first, according to a current Cisco VP.

The new Internet won't handle emails and web pages. It will route energy between power plants and customers in the most efficient way possible.

Many call this new network the Smart Grid.

As CNET reports, the new network will add billions to the bottom lines of both utility companies and customers each year.

"Building the smart grid means adding computer and communications technology to the existing electricity grid. With an overlay of digital technology, the grid promises to operate more efficiently and reliably... Much like computers and routers manage the flow of bits on the Internet, smart-grid technologies use information to optimize the flow of electricity."

By increasing efficiency, the power companies will consume less fuel. And that means producing fewer emissions.

No wonder Congress approved $11 billion for the Smart Grid!

And no wonder experts see the Smart Grid as a $100 billion marketplace for new technologies, ideas, and equipment.

For investors in one little company, all of this could mean enormous gains.

We call this fast-emerging company the "Cisco of the Smart Grid." While Cisco provided the routers and switches for the first Internet, this company provides the data "hubs" for the Smart Grid.

These hubs route information and energy between power plants and customers – in real time. And they're already controlling the flow of power in places like Tennessee, Florida, Ontario, and California.

A Southern California Edison Vice President calls the hubs "an essential part of providing clean, cost-effective technology solutions to further enhance the reliability of the electric power grid."
"Well, there's another one you called correctly!"
– member Larry S.

But the company is just getting started. It's looking at potential deals with dozens of other major metropolitan power companies. And as each new customer signs on, the company's earnings will spark higher.

Considering that the new Smart Grid promises to grow 1,000 times the size of the original Internet, you can see the profit potential. The gains could be positively Cisco-like.

You can find all the details of the "Cisco of the smart grid" and other huge trends we’re honing in on, in The Five Stocks That Can Ensure Your Retirement. We’ll rush you this report too, just for sampling our research.

Historic New FERC Ruling to Enable Smart Grid

Portland and Augusta, ME (Vocus/PRWEB) March 18, 2011

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has adopted a Final Rule which establishes a level playing field for those who wish to reduce their energy consumption during times of scarcity. Energy attorney Donald J. Sipe was actively involved in providing legal and economic thought leadership to FERC throughout two and a half years of advocacy, research and eventually rulemaking hearings.
This landmark decision creates a crucial tool in efforts to save energy and reduce the costs of energy, not only for the curtailer but for the grid as a whole. Under this new rule, consumers can now be compensated as generators for reducing their energy use, under certain circumstances.
This new rule is a key element in implementation of a comprehensive Smart Grid system. The Smart Grid seeks to interconnect electric-powered devices and facilities to manage electric supply by better understanding and controlling demand. In order to implement this on a large scale, consumers needed to be able to be compensated for their participation in this system – this new rule provides the regulatory framework that allows for that to happen.

More http://www.prweb.com/releases/smart_grid_ferc/energy_natural_resources/prweb8220634.htm

IEEE Smart Grid 2025 Online Multiplayer Game Launches 17 March

Smart Grid 2025 from Institute for the Future on Vimeo.

 PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IEEE, the world's largest professional association advancing technology for humanity, today announced an innovative online game – Smart Grid 2025 – designed to explore what is needed to create the best possible future for Smart Grid. Co-sponsored by IEEE Spectrum and the Institute for the Future, Smart Grid 2025 is a multiplayer forecasting experiment launching on 17 March, 2011 at 12:00pm EDT (4:00pm UTC), and participants can register now at: http://game.smartgrid2025.org/.