Smart Grid

On May 23, the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition (DSRG), a “smart grid” trade association coalition, announced that the U.S. Senate had introduced the Electric Consumer Right to Know Act, S 1029.

A consortium of Siemens Energy, a division of German-based Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), and Prysmian Cables & Systems, a division of Italy-based Prysmian SpA (Milan: PRY.MI), has won a $400 million turnkey contract to design, supply and install a HVDC (high-voltage direct-current) link to connect the power supply networks of New Jersey and New York, the companies announced today. Construction has begun and the link is scheduled to come on line in the summer of 2013.

Investment in power transmission infrastructure will range from $12 to $16 billion per year in the U.S. from now through 2030 and C$45 million cumulatively in Canada through 2030, according to an estimate released May 11 by consulting firm The Brattle Group.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), said Monday that six of its subsidiary operating utilities will join the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO), a regional transmission organization (RTO) that now supports the delivery of electricity of 13 U.S. states and the Province of Manitoba. Entergy said joining MISO could save customers more than $1 billion in power production costs for the 2013 to 2022 timeframe.

Shares of smart grid and wind turbine technology company American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC) were trading up more than seven percent at mid-day after announcing nine-month financial results -- including tripled profits year over year -- and increasing guidance for Fiscal 2010 net income by 10 percent.

Since diving into the deep end when it comes to energy issues, almost every day sees new fascinating concepts, approaches, and technologies. Fascinating ... exciting ... even hope inspiring at times. And, as well, as the passion builds, so many of these are truly Energy COOL.