July 06, 2009

One of the world's best examples of smart grid technology and applications in action is smack in the middle of the U.S. heartland at Oklahoma Gas & Electric, which has been in business longer than Oklahoma has been a state.

In fact, Oklahoma only attained statehood in 1907. OG&E -- as it is known -- dates back to 1902. And in recent years, a developing smart grid vision has taken root in corporate strategy, expressed clearly and succinctly to the OG&E entities that are now working diligently to make that vision a reality.

Below are a few letters received at EnergyBiz Insider on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.

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July 01, 2009

It's more than a milestone. It's a clear message to the American people. By passing a comprehensive energy bill that includes carbon caps out of the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219 to 212, President Obama has a crossed a threshold never achieved before -- one that sets out to change American energy policy.

For the last several years such a concept has languished in the halls of Congress and often outside the doors of those most in tune with environmental organizations. That's why the president can boast a victory even if the measure were to stall in the U.S. Senate.

As more and more people use the internet as their primary mode of communication for messaging and news gathering, it’s noteworthy that www.michigangree.org recently passed the 500,000 page views milestone. In addition to current news, topics, videos, and the Michigan GREEN Pages, you’ll find a treasure trove of articles listed in Stories Archive that date back more than two years, and learn upon a 2nd reading they are still very relevant and informative. This year’s articles are no exception and you’re invited to review The Top 12 highest read articles of 2009 and 3 Editor Favorites…

June 29, 2009

Tell Ken Copp that the U.S. electric grid needs to "get smart," and he'll politely set you straight.

Copp, the strategic technical advisor for American Transmission Company (ATC), is but one of an increasingly vocal number of power engineers and transmission and distribution utility owners who beg to differ with the popular opinion that our electric grid is somehow "dumb," or operating "without a brain."

"The way we look at it, the grid's been smart for a while," he said. "It takes some pretty sophisticated tools to monitor, dispatch and control electricity flow."