Xcel Smart Grid
On Thursday, April 24, the monthly Boulder Tomorrow membership breakfast meeting welcomed Craig Eicher, Area Manager for Xcel Energy, to discuss the recent announcement regarding Boulder's selection as Xcel's first Smart Grid City. Boulder Tomorrow members and guests were given the first public presentation by Craig on the details to this $100 million cutting-edge project, which will enable Boulder's residents and businesses to become more energy efficient through a range of new technology and power options.
"We're very excited about what we see as the opportunities for our customers," said Craig. The Smart Grid system will provide environmental, financial and operational benefits through the use of two-way communications from customers' meters through the electric distribution system to remotely monitor substations, as well as in-home controls to automate energy use, infrastructure support for plug-in hybrid vehicles, battery systems, wind turbines and solar panels. "No company has fully integrated from the customer all the way to the power plant a new digital electric system the way that we plan to."
Craig described the local resources at the University of Colorado, the federal research labs are perceived to be key players in the Smart Grid's evolution. At this point, the concept is so new that the exact manner of involvement of local companies and resources is still being developed. He said the implementation won't happen overnight, however the plan is for the first wave of 15,000 new "smart" residential meters to be installed by August. "It will take a couple of years to realize the vision in Boulder and then we'll roll this on to the rest of our power grid across the state," said Craig. "We're not forcing the Smart Grid on anybody; this will be a voluntary program," he added.
In Colorado the demand for energy has gone up nearly 60% in the last 20 years. "Our reality is that we are obligated by law to provide the energy Colorado's citizens demand," said Craig. Traditional coal-powered plants help meet this demand, however they are not the only source. "Xcel has to not only meet the demand but do so more cleanly. This involves a range of answers, including renewable energy sources such as concentrated solar, more efficiency, decreased electricity use, carbon sequestration and other options."
A key aspect of Xcel's research involves various methods of storage as well as innovative technology to generate power. Xcel is researching biomass to biogas and thin-film photovoltaic cells that should be drastically less expensive. These technologies could eventually be part of the larger options available to Smart Grid customers
Specifically regarding Smart Grid, Craig explained the current grid is mono-directional and little information on energy use filtered back to Xcel beyond aggregate use. "We want to make the grid 'talk' to use and provide real-time data on energy use," says Craig. Smart Grid is going to allow energy storage, local power generation, digital centers and controls and smart homes, buildings and transportation options that communicate their energy use allowing consumers to choose the most efficient manner of energy use.
Ultimately, Xcel customers will have the option to choose different sources and prices of power depending on the time of day. Xcel is interested to see if people will choose to wash their clothes or dishes later in evening, for example, to take advantage of such options. Customers will also be able to program "smart" appliances to come on when power is least expensive. Technology similar to cable tv boxes will allow standard analog equipment to also become "smart" and communicate with the grid. "We're hoping that people say 'yes' to these choices as they become available," said Craig.
The Smart Grid will be self-monitoring and self-repairing with sensors and monitors allowing Xcel to be even more efficient in their power delivery. For example, power will be automatically switched around failed transformers and Xcel will be notified where and when problems arise instead of relying on calls from affected customers. Individual meters will also be able to tell the grid when a home or business is having a problem.
One of the first ways Xcel will demonstrate Smart Grid capabilities is through a fleet of plug-in hybrids electric cars that communicate with the grid. "You plug in at night and download power when it is less expensive. When you go to work, you plug in and during summer afternoons when power demands peak we can take power back from all the distributed batteries plugged into the system and shave that peak demand," says Craig. This means Xcel does not have to build another power plant to meet the increased peak demand in the future. "Smart Grid technology allows us to shift portions of peak loads to different times of the day. The grid will recognize your car wherever you plug in on the grid; any power drawn off your battery you will receive a credit for on your utility bill."
Craig described that Boulder ultimately beat out several other communities for Smart Grid for several reasons. Xcel knew they needed people willing to be "early adopters" and patient with new technology. Plus the environmental awareness in Boulder is extremely high. The geographic isolation in terms of open space makes for clear boundaries of the program, the mix of customers from industrial to federal labs to the university and a wide range of residential housing sizes and types presented the best scenario to try Smart Grid. "We thought all of these things came together and made Boulder the best place to demonstrate this concept," Craig said.
Craig made the point that despite Xcel's long history as an electricity provider from conventional power plant sources, they are also the nation’s top provider of wind power. He also reminded the audience that Amendment 37, passed by the voters in 2004, required Xcel to provide 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. Xcel surpassed that benchmark in 2007. Colorado's legislature has since increased the goal to 20% by 2015, and Xcel expects to hit that target as well.
Essentially for Xcel customers Smart grid will mean options. This means Boulder Tomorrow members can look ahead to an enhanced ability to manage their energy use, improved energy efficiency and conservation options, fewer power outages and a lower carbon footprint. Plus Smart Grid will be a economic development agent as clean technology-related as other companies look to create systems and devices that can plug into the Smart Grid.
Xcel is forming a Smart Grid Advisory Committee and forming focus groups to hear from and develop Smart Grid with your input. Interested members should contact Craig regarding how Smart Grid can benefit your business and properties.
See more online about Smart Grid.
Speaker Contact Information:
Craig Eicher
Area Manager, Boulder Region
Xcel Energy
303-245-2254
craig.l.eicher@xcelenergy.com
