August 12, 2009

Mobile field workers' toolkits aren't your grandfather's wire pliers

As U.S. utilities continue a quarter-century process of building out more intelligent organizations and smart grids, they are using and adapting technological tools to push those "smarts" further into the field. At the most advanced utilities -- and not all utilities have progressed at the same rate -- the average lineman on a pole may look and be equipped more like an astronaut than the average hard-hatted working man he appeared 20 years ago.

The traditional "toolkit" linemen once carried has been greatly expanded from the days when it included screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, and other more conventional hand tools. Today, the typical utility mobile worker's toolkit -- at the more advanced utilities -- includes an array of digital devices and communications systems that were unknown 20 years ago.

August 10, 2009

Climate change policies may be evolving in the United States. But they are they still formulating among developing nations. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton felt the full force of such challenges during a recent visit to India.

In what may be termed as a polite but tense exchange between Clinton and the Indian Environmental Minister, Jairam Ramesh, the two traded barbs and discussed their respective roles in helping to minimize man-made carbon emissions that are considered by United Nations scientists to be the leading cause of global warming.

Michigan GREEN, a non-profit organization advancing the cause of energy efficiency and renewable energy, has developed a program to support community action agencies in Michigan that are operating Weatherization Assistance programs.
 
Kevin Cook, one of the founders of Michigan GREEN and currently serving on the board of directors, has helped put together an alliance that includes Michigan GREEN members MTI Energy Management / Lighting Specialists, Inc. and Niagara Conservation Group. MTI is a Michigan-based company and was selected by Niagara to supply, warehouse and distribute materials needed for weatherization programs in Michigan.

Special pricing has been negotiated with the manufacturer that is designed to be competitive with other national bulk suppliers of energy efficient products. A website has been setup to sell products and service Weatherization Programs in Michigan. Custom services for programs are also available.

August 07, 2009

Across the country, energy providers are prepping for dramatic changes to their distribution networks. Information will automatically be relayed to back office systems, so that power companies can monitor demand and avoid buying from the spot market.

In addition, customers will be able to program their air conditioning systems to raise temperatures during times when energy pricing is high. And they may even be able to communicate with everyday consumer devices. That is the good news.

August 5, 2009 - With the electrification of the American auto industry in mind, Michigan has for years been positioning itself as America's new battery capital.

Wednesday, under a perfect cerulean sky, at Detroit's groundbreaking and high-tech NextEnergy Center, Vice President Joe Biden announced more than a billion reasons Michigan may just make it.

The Obama administration announced $2.4 billion in grants to accelerate the development of next-generation batteries and electric vehicles.