Smart Grid Technology to Address Maryland’s Energy Challenges

 

DENVER (June 25, 2009) - R. W. Beck partnered with Maryland Energy Administration on a report released earlier this month that evaluated potential Smart Grid technologies, policies, regulatory issues, costs and benefits. R. W. Beck has been collaborating with MEA to integrate Smart Grid technologies and programs associated with energy efficiency. The report suggests that implementing Smart Grid technologies and strategies could reduce consumer's electricity bills, improve system reliability, lower utilities' operational costs and create new jobs.

"R. W. Beck provided valuable insight by examining the elements of a Smart Grid from a system's perspective and examining the synergy among energy resources," said Mark Gabriel,

senior vice president at R. W. Beck. "Our technical expertise in Smart Grid-supporting technologies and programs will aid in recommending an implementation order for Maryland, which could be replicated in other mid-Atlantic states or regions." 

R. W. Beck worked with MEA to review the costs and benefits of Smart Grid deployment and will be providing recommendations to create a strategy of implementing the most cost-effective mix of energy resources. The Firm focused on achieving EmPOWER Maryland’s goal of 15% reductions in electricity usage by 2015.

The Smart Grid report was funded through a nationally competitive Department of Energy grant, awarded in September 2008, and reflects research and analysis conducted by government and research agencies, utilities, national laboratories, technology companies and non-government organizations. In addition to working with R. W. Beck, MEA's grant partners included Energetics Incorporated and the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy.  For a downloadable version of the report and for more information on Smart Grid advancements in Maryland visit www.Energy.Maryland.Gov or www.smartgridmd.org.