1. Interoperability and cyber security […]
2. Incorporating customer-owned power generation and energy storage devices […]
3. Data analytics and predictive modeling […]
4. The scope of smart grids will broaden to smart energy systems on the one hand and smart cities on the other hand. […]
5. Development of new standards and ecosystems of standards will continue and governments, utilities and end-users will enforce that interoperability of smart energy products and services is guaranteed. […]

• … “Substations are used to transform voltage several times in many locations, ensuring safe and reliable delivery of power. These systems are also necessary for splitting the path of electricity flow into many directions, which can be used to isolate parts of the grid to make repairs or manage energy for various reasons.”
• … “Substations require a huge amount of large, expensive equipment to operate, including transformers, circuit breakers, switches, capacitor banks, a network of protective relays and several others.” …
• “All over the country, substation modernization projects have already begun. In the Northeast, Central Maine Power Company (CMP) recently announced it had activated its first major substation that is a part of its $1.4 billion Maine Power Reliability Program.”

"In fact, it’s cost-competitive with the two most cost-effective energy storage technologies today: compressed air and pumped hydro. But where compressed air requires underground caverns, and pumped hydro requires dams and reservoirs, Highview’s system can scale up at 1 megawatt-hour of energy for every 10 tons of liquid air, Brett said."

“…The legislation is expected to help projects already or soon to be in the pipeline, but it’s unclear if a one-year extension will attract development of new projects or what the impact will be on restoring cut jobs….

The industry considers the 2.2-cents per kilowatt tax credit critical to wind being competitive with natural gas and solar energy.

The wind industry employs about 75,000 workers in the United States, and the credit extension could save 37,000 jobs, according to a statement from the American Wind Energy Association. But the group says uncertain federal policies have caused a “boom-bust” cycle for the industry. …”

Some of the Disadvantages listed include:

–  lack of consistency and reliability.

–  size. To power an entire building, a large solar array is required.

–  panel deterioration. Like anything else left out in the sun, solar panels gradually become damaged by ultraviolet radiation. Rain, snow, dirt, temperature fluctuations, hail and wind also pose serious hazards.

–  cost.  The number of solar array panels needed to capture energy for an entire home typically costs tens of thousands of dollars….

"Led by Stephen Chou, the team has made two dramatic improvements: reducing reflectivity, and more effectively capturing the light that isn’t reflected. …Princeton’s new solar cell is much thinner and less reflective. By utilizing sandwiched plastic and metal with the nanomesh, this so-called “Plasmonic Cavity with Subwavelength Hole array” or “PlaCSH” substantially reduces the potential for losing the light itself. In fact, it only reflects about 4% of direct sunlight, leading to a 52% higher efficiency than conventional, organic solar cells.

PlaCSH is also capable of capturing a large amount of sunlight even when the sunlight is dispersed on cloudy days, which results in an amazing 81% increase in efficiency under indirect lighting conditions when compared to conventional organic solar cell technology. All told, PlaCSH is up to 175% more efficient than conventional solar cells. As you can see in the image to the right, the difference in reflectivity between conventional and PlaCSH solar cells is really quite dramatic."

see also:  http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-21-S1-A60

Stephen Y. Chou and Wei Ding

"Three of central challenges in solar cells are high light coupling into solar cell, high light trapping and absorption in a sub-absorption-length-thick active layer, and replacement of the indium-tin-oxide (ITO) transparent electrode used in thin-film devices. Here, we report a proposal and the first experimental study and demonstration of a new ultra-thin high-efficiency organic solar cell (SC), termed “plasmonic cavity with subwavelength hole-array (PlaCSH) solar cell”, that offers a solution to all three issues with unprecedented performances…."

This webpage provides a comprehensive set of up to date links providing a wide range of Energy Management guidelines.  It is set up as a resource for Federal Agencies, thus is National in scope and covers a range of topics.  A useful nexus site for anyone in the industry of Energy Efficiency or Renewable Energy, and professions/users/decision makers who rely on a reliable source of Government Agency information.  ~ DT

• “While researching the SBI, they came across a Montana code passed by the Legislature in 2009. It directs state agencies, including the university system, to adopt high-performance building standards when new state buildings are constructed, or when major renovations take place.”
• “The standards call on agencies to optimize energy performance and enhance indoor environmental quality. They also direct agencies to conserve natural resources and cut energy costs.”
• “But four years after the code was adopted, the state has not agreed upon a universal high-performance building standard. The lack of such guidance — good for all state buildings, including those at public universities — has student leaders and other proponents frustrated.”
• ”To the layman, the array of standards appear similar in their goal to make efficiency a way of life in taxpayer-funded buildings across Montana. Yet the rating systems differ, however slightly, and state officials haven’t agreed on which standard agencies should follow.
• “There’s a number of high-performance building standards being proposed and used,” Javins said. “There’s been a series of (state) meetings to develop the administrative rules so they can enact that 2009 legislation.” “

"“Since 2003, there has been tremendous growth in solar energy systems technology, along with new developments in materials science related to solar energy, windows technology and thermal energy management films,” says Daryl Myers, an ASTM member who is retired after 37 years…"

"The standard establishes uniform criteria for measurement procedures, equipment and reporting of results with respect to modern measurement equipment. ASTM E903 will be used by manufacturers of glass, coatings, films and optical components of solar energy systems elements to assess the reliability, durability and performance of these components in order to optimize the entire materials system performance."