As more renewable energy sources come online, installing smart electric panels in homes benefits both utility customers and utilities.
Smart panels are controlled via a smart phone app, providing homeowners with control over how electricity is used around the house. These devices allow for management of power flow in connected devices including solar panels, batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and power-consuming appliances within the home.
Vermont’s Green Mountain Power is spending $500,000 on a new pilot program to test the technology that it believes will help transform the grid. The utility has already installed thousands of Tesla Powerwall batteries in homes that are providing stored energy when demand peaks, saving Green Mountain $3 million in 2020.
Smart panels are expected to save even more by boosting the efficiency of electric distribution. With customers adopting more solar panels, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and battery storage, more efficient electricity distribution is a must for utilities.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2019
Persistent flooding having economic impact on coastal cities
Atlantic City, Annapolis among communities affected.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
$1 billion Boston hospital project to include extensive disaster resiliency features
Mass. General expansion will be designed for four days of shelter in place.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
U.S. cities have become more dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians
Reduced speed limits, traffic calming, better education seen as keys to improvement.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2019
High-income renters now the fastest-growing housing market segment
Growth is fastest in mid-sized cities with strong economies.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2019
Katerra launches software platform for ‘entire lifecycle of the building process’
Firm is accepting industry applicants to test the product.
Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2019
AAMA updates two specifications for test methods related to seismic drift
For evaluating window wall, curtain wall and storefront systems.
Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2019
California’s carbon reduction goals to be aided by programs to convert heating, hot water systems
Switch from propane to electricity is critical to plan.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2019
Researchers develop software that can calculate potential solar energy yield at any location
Accounts for dynamic shading from trees, buildings and other structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2019
Hospitals not making much progress in reducing their carbon footprint
Energy benchmarking survey shows flat emissions pattern over past 20 years.
Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2019
Super Bowl stadium helps alleviate Atlanta’s flood problems
Capacity to store more than 2 million gallons of storm water on site.
