Creating the Smarter Grid: Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Integrating Renewable Technology May 7, 2011

Why can’t the grid be more green? Why is it taking so long to create a truly smart grid that integrates the full range of renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass and new forms of energy storage?

As aggressive policies and vigorous investments take hold, newer and smarter technology is rolling out. In California, newly elected Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring state utilities to generate 33 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. In 2010, investors poured $3.7 billion into cleantech, an increase of 76% over the previous year. Federal stimulus money is playing a major role both nationally and regionally: for instance the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison won $60 million and $40 million grants respectively to fund smart grid demonstration projects. Given all this activity, what are the remaining challenges and what are the opportunities? Why can’t we just add an endless amount of distributed renewable generation onto the grid? Why are the costs so high? Why is the intermittency of renewable delivery such a problem, and what are the potential solutions?

As utilities roll out new meters and other smart equipment on the grid with seemingly endless potential, there are hundreds of companies looking to integrate exciting new technologies and platforms that promise monetary and environmental savings for both consumers and utilities. We will examine opportunities and strategies being pursued by energy enterprises, from tiny start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, and discuss remaining gaps and challenges to achieve the full vision of the smarter grid.

For more information:
http://www.entforum.caltech.edu

Official Website: http://entforum.caltech.edu/may2011.html