Elster forms Smart Grid Voltage Conservation Alliance with ABB, Survalent and Quanta

摘要

Elster announced the formation of the Smart Grid Voltage Conservation Alliance (SGVCA), a working group that seeks to accelerate the adoption and validate the business benefits of voltage conservation for utilities through the convergence of Distribution Automation (DA) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Charter members of the alliance include Smart Grid industry leaders Entergy, Elster, ABB and Survalent. Quanta Technologies will assist the alliance in validating the business justification. The SGVCA will focus on an end-to-end voltage conservation program with a two-fold goal of enabling operational efficiency for utilities and advancing the business case for voltage conservation. After the completion of an initial field study at Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, LLC, the findings will be expanded to drive commercial application for all utilities. Reducing voltage by as little as 4-6% can result in a 3-5% increase in energy conservation, but most utilities are unable to effectively manage voltage variations because of the lack of visibility in the distribution area network.