Envision Smart Energy
Posted by: Paige Layne on: November 16, 2009
So what will the future be like with smart grid technologies? Check out this video — shot at Duke Energy’s Envision Center in Erlanger, Ky. — to experience what energy CAN be. We think you’ll agree that the future looks bright.
Are energy vampires lurking in your home?
Posted by: Paige Layne on: October 28, 2009
Energy vampires are devices that feed on electricity all the time — even when they’re not in use. Some of the most common items in your home are the biggest culprits, including TVs and DVRs, and chargers for cell phones, laptops, MP3 players and handheld gaming devices.
In fact, all of these devices together can account for up to 20 percent of your monthly energy costs. But you can fight back with smart energy use. Check out these videos starring Sir Purr, the Carolina Panthers’ mascot, as he learns about energy vampires and then fights them in an effort to reduce his energy use and save money.
If you like the video, feel free to share it with others. Fighting energy vampires is easy – you’ve just got to know where to start.
Duke Energy continues to build out its smart grid by adding more “self-healing” networks
Posted by: Paige Layne on: September 7, 2009
On Sept. 1, Duke Energy energized its second group of intelligent switches to create a self-healing network in Cincinnati, Ohio. The switches are located on power poles along Queen City Ave. Our first self-healing team was energized earlier this summer in Hendersonville, N.C.
Intelligent switches work together to identify problems and then can reroute power during an outage to minimize the number of customers affected. In this video shot in Hendersonville, N.C., Duke Energy Distribution Automation Manager Tony Adcock shares more details about how the switches work together to reduce outages; you’ll also catch an up close glimpse of what the equipment looks like AND, if you listen closely, you’ll learn where our next self-healing team will be installed.
Creating the most energy efficient communities in the world
Posted by: Paige Layne on: July 1, 2009
One hundred Duke Energy customers in south Charlotte are testing out the benefits of residential energy management. Our “Smart Energy Pilot Program” gives customers information about their energy usage and control over how much they use and ultimately spend. Why is information and control important? Duke Energy’s Technology Officer David Mohler explains.
A “self-healing” network can greatly reduce power outages
Posted by: Paige Layne on: June 26, 2009
In June 2009 Duke Energy activated a network of intelligent switches and line sensors in Hendersonville, N.C. creating our company’s first “self healing” network. It’s called “self-healing” because the equipment reroutes power automatically when there is trouble to reduce the number of customers affected by power outages.
The system was put to the test on June 23 when a tree on Lower Ridge Blvd. fell across some power lines. When the lines came down, the network kicked in immediately to diagnose and reroute power. The self-healing network saved over 1,500 customers from experiencing a sustained power outage. Customers served by this self-healing network may have experienced a few blinks or a brief outage as the devices activated to reroute power. Only the immediate customers served by the affected lines remained without power.
See for yourself how it works.
Virtual Power Plant in South Charlotte, N.C.
Posted by: Paige Layne on: June 8, 2009
The McAlpine Creek area in south Charlotte, N.C. — an area bordered by Carmel and Rea Roads and Hwy. 51 — is a test bed for distributed generation resources and smart grid technologies. An electric power substation on Hwy. 51 is flanked by more than 213 solar arrays, and soon a large battery will be installed at the site to store energy generated by the solar panels or at existing power plants when energy is available, but in low demand. Additionally, 100 customers are participating in a residential energy management pilot program that gives them the tools and information needed to develop an “energy profile.” Once their energy profiles are set, participating customers can use the information to manage their air conditioners, water heaters and other appliances to use less energy, save money and help the environment.
The solar panels, battery and energy management systems together create a virtual power plant capable of generating enough energy for 55 homes for one year.
Here’s how it works.
“Energy Internet”requires the right communication platform
Posted by: Duke Energy on: May 20, 2009
Having the right communication platform is a critical part of the design and functionality of a smart grid. Duke Energy Vice President and Chief Technology Officer David Mohler explains why Internet Protocol-based open standards is the best approach for our company, customers and the industry.
