Smart Grid

“Smart grid” generally refers to a class of technology people are using to bring utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote control and automation. These systems are made possible by two-way communication technology and computer processing that has been used for decades in other industries. They are beginning to be used on electricity networks, from the power plants and wind farms all the way to the consumers of electricity in homes and businesses. They offer many benefits to utilities and consumers -- mostly seen in big improvements in energy efficiency on the electricity grid and in the energy users’ homes and offices. For a century, utility companies have had to send workers out to gather much of the data needed to provide electricity. The “grid” amounts to the networks that carry electricity from the plants where it is generated to consumers. The key activities that comprise OE’s smart grid strategy are summarized below.

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Energy, Environment and Resources The Energy, Environment and Resources department, led by Bernice Lee , conducts high-level research on critical issues of energy security, environment and resource governance. Latest: US Energy: the New Reality There is undoubtedly a US energy revolution under way – but where that revolution will lead is not yet clear. Combating Illegal Logging Duncan Brack considers the compatibility of efforts by consumer countries to reduce illegal logging with World Trade Organization rules. The Trouble with Biofuels Agricultural biofuel use increases the level and volatility of food prices, with detrimental impacts on the food security of low-income food-importing countries, says this new paper. Resource Insecurity The outlook is one of supply disruptions, volatile prices, accelerated environmental degradation and rising political tensions over resource access, warns this new report. Research Areas Energy Security Climate Security and Low Carbon Growth Resources, Politics and Global Trends Food Security

Ecodesign - Sustainable and responsible business - Enterprise and Industry The Ecodesign Directive provides with consistent EU-wide rules for improving the environmental performance of energy related products (ERPs) through ecodesign - brochure [2 MB] . It prevents disparate national legislations on the environmental performance of these products from becoming obstacles to the intra-EU trade. This should benefit both businesses and consumers, by enhancing product quality and environmental protection and by facilitating free movement of goods across the EU. Energy related products (the use of which has an impact on energy consumption) account for a large proportion of the energy consumption in the EU and include: Energy-using products (EUPs) , which use, generate, transfer or measure energy (electricity, gas, fossil fuel), such as boilers, computers, televisions, transformers, industrial fans, industrial furnaces etc. Contact: ENTR-Ecodesign@ec.europa.eu and DG Energy, energy efficiency unit

Efficient energy use Energy efficiency Energy intensity of economies (1990 to 2015): Energy intensity is an indication of how much energy is used to produce one unit of economic output. Lower ratio indicates that less energy is used to produce one unit of output.[1] Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the process of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. There are many motivations to improve energy efficiency. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy policy[5] and are high priorities in the sustainable energy hierarchy. Overview[edit] Simplified electrical grid with energy storage Lovin's Rocky Mountain Institute points out that in industrial settings, "there are abundant opportunities to save 70% to 90% of the energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50% for electric motors; and 60% in areas such as heating, cooling, office equipment, and appliances." Benefits[edit] Appliances[edit]

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