Paul Kedrowsky (Kauffman Foundation) noted the similarity of the new power grid to the public Internet in a talk to the ARPA-e meeting this week. There are now many low wattage power sources (low compared to the total power output from the major power stations) which could be controlled as a multi-cast mesh. Smart meters measure power factor - the quality and efficiency of power distribution between the substation and consumers could be improved with more granular control over capacitor banks and local disconnects.

Capacitor bank

There are some pilot implementations and trials in progress - SmartGridNews has a good list. The usual model is to use 900 MHz wireless for control system signaling and data collection - this is adequate for the volume of data generated. Other systems use the cellular wireless service. If fiber was to be pulled or blown alongside the existing power lines, it would be possible to create an additional local loop, competing with the existing telecom, cable, and wireless providers.

As previously noted, this market is at about the same stage of development as the telecommunications market was 20 years ago. Systems architecture and standards work could create at least the same scale of opportunities for innovation, while learning from the experience of developing that market.

References

Paul Kedrowsky talked at ARPA-e
Kauffman Energy Innovation Network
Distribution automation marketing articles
Opportunites and obstacles compared to the telco market of 20 years ago

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