PRESS RELEASE

Elster to Offer Advanced Smart Grid Solutions Using Cisco Technology

Cisco's Connected Grid Endpoint reference design SDK to be used with Elster's EnergyAxis® System

SAN JOSE, CA and RALEIGH, NC – Sep. 18, 2012 – Cisco and Elster announced today that Elster will offer smart grid solutions for field area networks using Cisco's technology. The solutions will integrate the Cisco Connected Grid Endpoint reference design with Elster's EnergyAxis System, and will showcase the power and flexibility of Elster's Universal technology while demonstrating support for Cisco's expertise in standards-based and interoperable communication solutions.

Through this integration of communication functions into advanced meters, utility customers will be provided with an even more flexible, secure, and economical Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) communications infrastructure. The combined solution will integrate the Elster EnergyAxis architecture within the Cisco IPv6 RF Mesh reference design.

Cisco has developed a complete suite of communications solutions for the smart grid. These include the Connected Grid Endpoint reference design as well as a full suite of switching, routing, network management and security products for the Field Area Network, Transmission & Substations, and Grid Operations. Plus Connected Grid Services to architect and optimize Smart Grid communications systems.

In addition to providing a comprehensive suite of AMI capabilities, Elster's EnergyAxis architecture enables smart meters to act as sensors for Distribution Automation and Asset Management applications such as Outage Notification, Voltage Monitoring, Asset Monitoring, and Loss Detection.  These advanced solutions enable utilities to extract even more value from their AMI investments. Elster is licensing the Cisco Connected Grid Endpoint reference design and software development kit (SDK).The addition of the Connected Grid Endpoint reference design further expands the EnergyAxis System interoperability and standards-based optimization.

With its innovative Software-Defined Radio and advanced software based metrology, Elster's REXUniversal meter platform offers utilities the flexibility to deploy this device with the Cisco GridBlocks^TM Solution Architecture, the Landis+Gyr GridStream^TM architecture (previously announced), as well as the Elster EnergyAxis Architecture.

Elster intends to develop EnergyAxis communications firmware that will operate within Cisco's 1000 Series Connected Grid Routers, and leverage application programming interfaces from the Cisco Connected Grid Network Management System.

"Cisco is committed to supporting our customers' need for interoperable vendor solutions," said Lionel Chocron, Vice President, Connected Energy Networks at Cisco. "By licensing the reference design to industry leaders such as Elster, we are enabling utilities to combine AMI communications over a common, reliable and secure communications infrastructure."

"As a Smart Grid solutions industry leader, Elster is committed to true interoperability and innovation," said Ed Myszka, President of Elster Solutions. "This announcement builds on Elster's track record of collaboration and integration to deliver the next generation of interoperability needed by utilities as they deploy Smart Grid solutions."

About Cisco

Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking, is helping the energy industry modernize the electrical grid from generation to distribution to consumption - with highly secure, reliable and scalable communications solutions. The Cisco Connected Grid solutions include: Transmission and Substation, Field Area Network, Grid Security, Data Center and Grid Operations. To learn more, please visit www.cisco.com/go/utilities.

About Elster

Elster is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Its offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Its products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets. 

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit www.elster.com.

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GE Technology to Double Capacity of Vietnam Transmission Line

Press release:

10 July 2012

GE Technology to Double Capacity of Vietnam Transmission Line

 

• U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Witnessed Contract Signing Ceremony
• GE’s Advanced Fuseless Technology Enables Efficient Power Transmission to Regions in Need
• Shipping of Capacitors to Begin in 2Q 2013
• Financing by U.S. Export-Import Bank

HANOI, VIETNAM—July 10, 2012—General Electric (NYSE: GE) signed today an equipment supply contract worth USD16.5 million with the Power Transmission Company No. 4 (PTC4), a subsidiary of the National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT), to double Vietnam’s existing power capacity through upgrading of the country’s national backbone transmission system.

GE’s series capacitor banks will be installed as part of the upgrade of the 500-kV Pleiku–Phu Lam transmission line to increase power capacity from 1,000 amps to 2,000 amps.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton witnessed the signing of the contract in Hanoi.

“The 500-kV Pleiku-Phu Lam transmission line, which is 500 km in length, is the backbone of Vietnam’s North-to-South power transmission. Increasing the capacity of the line to transmit power across the country more efficiently will enable EVN to mobilize generation sources to more effectively meet power demand, which varies from region to region. When it comes into operation in 2013, the project is expected to supply approximately 800 megawatts to the Southern area,” said Dang Phan Tuong, chairman of the Board of Management of NPT.

GE Energy Asia Pacific President Kenji Uenishi said, “We are delighted with this opportunity to assist Vietnam meet its power needs. A healthy power infrastructure is vital to supporting economic growth. GE’s advanced equipment, services and partnership with local corporations will enable Vietnam to manage power needs more efficiently in line with efforts to enhance current infrastructure.”

Under the terms of the contract, GE will supply six series capacitor banks to NPT and provide on-site supervision for installation testing and commissioning. The project utilizes GE’s latest fuseless technology to enable a 100 percent increase in the current capacity of the existing transmission line and installed infrastructure.

GE will partner for the first time with a local corporation, 3C Company, to provide local content for the project.

Stuart Dean, GE CEO for ASEAN, said, “GE has been in ASEAN from its beginning helping countries meet their energy and power needs to accelerate development plans and competitiveness in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. We believe in making the world better and one of the ways we do this is to build world-class infrastructure.”

GE's capacitor technology is proven technology in Vietnam with the first GE banks installed in the 1990s. This is the second time GE has signed a contract directly with NPT. The first involved a similar capacitor banks installation in the 500-kV Da nang - Ha Tinh transmission line.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank is financing the project. Shipping and installation of the capacitors at the three locations will begin in the second quarter of 2013, with commercial operation set to begin in the third quarter of the year.

GE signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2011 with NPT for both companies to work together in an effort to increase Vietnam’s power transmission efficiency and expertise, while reducing the risk of power shortages.

GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality solutions. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to ensuring secure wireless data transmission and providing uninterruptible power, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit http://www.gedigitalenergy.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.

Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.

News Release from Dominion

Dominion News

Dominion Virginia Power Offshore Wind Study Recommends Ocean Substations Be Added in Atlantic

Mar 13, 2012

RICHMOND, Va., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One offshore substation platform with two 230,000-volt power lines is appropriate to transmit to shore every 500-700 megawatts of wind-generated electricity constructed off the coast of Virginia, a study done at Dominion Virginia Power's request recommends.

The report, completed by ABB Power Systems Consulting, evaluated the offshore transmission options to support future projects and built its recommendations on the company's first study in 2010 that looked at potential on-shore interconnection options and upgrades needed to support offshore wind generation projects. The studies complement one another as transmission lines from the four recommended offshore service platforms would likely be routed to two separate onshore interconnection points.

The report acknowledges the potential cost savings that may be achieved through construction of offshore transmission infrastructure completed in stages with a potential for standardization. The approach also limits the potential for stranded transmission investment as offshore wind farms are constructed.

The report estimated the cost for each offshore service platform, its equipment and submarine transmission cables at approximately $652 million.

"As public policy is developed to support wind farms off Virginia's coast and leases are issued, Dominion will continue evaluating transmission options to ensure the identification of the lowest cost alternative for bringing offshore wind electricity to customers," said Scot Hathaway, vice president-Electric Transmission.  "It is important that we continue to understand these costs and work to reduce them as we consider the possibility of offshore wind generation."

Dominion is planning to respond to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's call for information for wind generation in about 113,000 acres of leasing areas approximately 24 miles off the Virginia coast. The leasing area is divided into 19 whole blocks, each 3-by-3 miles, and 13 partial ones.

Dominion has a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to work with partners and find ways to reduce the costs of offshore wind generation. The DOE estimates that offshore wind generation alone would cost about 24 cents per kilowatt-hour; Dominion's residential rates today for generation, transmission and distribution services are about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.

To read the report, please visithttp://www.dom.com/news/2012/pdf/dominion_offshore_public_report_3-13-2012.pdf.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 28,000 megawatts of generation, 11,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,300 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 15 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com.

Follow us on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/DomVAPower. 'Like' us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/dominionvirginiapower.

SOURCE Dominion

Feds Approve Transmission Line for Wind Project in East Oregon

The following excerpt is from the January 7 djcoregon.com.

Feds approve transmission line for wind project in East Oregon

A $300 million wind project proposed in the high desert of Harney County is one step closer to construction thanks to recent federal approval for a 46-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.

The transmission line last week won support from the U.S. Department of the Interior – a crucial green light for the proposed 104-megawatt Echanis wind project. But concerns continue to be raised by groups that have opposed development within the scenic region that surrounds Steens Mountain.

 For details, click the link below:

http://djcoregon.com/news/2012/01/04/feds-approve-transmission-line-for-wind-project-in-east-oregon/

(Archived Article) Portugal Gives Itself a Clean-Energy Makeover

The contents of this post were gleaned from a New York Times article with the above title.  The original article was published August 9, 2010.

Five years ago, the leaders of Portugal decided to harness the country’s wind, hydropower, sunlight, and ocean waves.

Nearly 45% of the electricity in Portugal’s grid will come from renewable sources this year, up from 17% just five years ago.

Land-based wind power has expanded sevenfold in that time.  And Portugal expects in 2011 to become the first country to inaugurate a national network of charging stations for electric cars.

Portugal has little fossil fuel of its own.

Portugal participates in the European Union’s version of cap and trade.

Portuguese households have long paid about twice what Americans pay for electricity.

To force Portugal’s energy transition, the prime minister’s government restructured and privatized former state energy utilities to create a grid better suited to renewable power sources.  To lure private companies into Portugal’s new market, the government gave them contracts locking in a stable price for 15 years.

Portugal has large untapped resources of wind and river power, the two most cost-effective renewable sources.

While the government estimates that the total investment in revamping Portugal’s energy structure will be about 16.3 billion euros, that cost is borne by the private companies that operate the grid and the renewable plants and is reflected in consumers’ electricity rates.  The companies’ payback comes from the 15 years of guaranteed wholesale electricity rates promised by the government.  Once the new infrastructure is completed, it is expected that the system will cost about 1.7 billion euros a year less to run than if formerly did, primarily by avoiding natural gas imports.

To ensure a stable power base when the forces of nature shut down, the system needs to maintain a base of fossil fuel that can be fired up at will.

Portugal began upgrading its grid of transmission lines a decade ago.  Accommodating a greater share of renewable power cost an additional 480 million euros, an expense folded into electricity rates.

Environmental and conservation groups are concerned about the effects of so many new wind turbines and dams on wildlife and habitat.

Renewable energy has not created many green jobs.