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 | Apr 18, 2018
New Green Globe pilot program launched
Precursor to revised Green Globes Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings.
Codes and Standards | Apr 17, 2018
Contractor charged with fraud in winning $200 million in federal contracts
Accused of falsely claiming veteran- and minority-owned business status.
Codes and Standards | Apr 16, 2018
Wide variations in adoption of National Electric Code could jeopardize safety
An NFPA report found that code adoption is under heavier political scrutiny, leading to delays and decisions motivated by factors other than safety concerns.
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2018
Corruption in New York City construction industry is common
Scale of projects, number of players involved contributes to problem.
Codes and Standards | Apr 11, 2018
Urgent need for government to make communities, infrastructure more resilient
More than 350 people died from extreme weather events in 2017.
Codes and Standards | Apr 10, 2018
Boosting energy efficiency helps reduce health risks
Cleaner air results in fewer heart attacks, respiratory disease, and premature deaths.
Codes and Standards | Apr 9, 2018
U.K. business leaders call for zero-carbon buildings by 2030
Real estate, construction industry executives among those supporting the goal.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2018
In Houston, proposed rules would require building above 500-year flood level
Change would impact 85,739 pieces of property.
Codes and Standards | Apr 4, 2018
New ASTM standard supports stucco use in construction
Provides way to measure tensile strength in vertical applications.
Codes and Standards | Apr 3, 2018
LEED v4.1 O+M for Existing Buildings available for beta testing
Update said to be most inclusive and transparent platform to date.
