Cleantech Investor

First published on the Cleantech Investor website, October 2011

Mr Willem van Putten leads KEMA activities in Asia Pacific, particularly in smart grid initiatives, research, design and developments. He will be speaking at Asia Smart Grid, which is part of the Singapore International Energy Week taking place from 31 Oct to 4 Nov 2011. For more information, visit www.siew.sg

How would you define the KEMA smart grid vision/what is a 'smart grid' and what does it mean for all involved? Can you also explain the role of SmartGridSherpa?

The smart grid is a dynamic system modernising transmission and distribution, which intelligently relays energy and information both ways between utilities and end users. Smart energy grids will be required for the transition to an energy system using renewable energy sources and the associated decentralised electricity generation facilities. Mature smart grids require a transparent coordination mechanism which allows these various energy sources and appliances to be interconnected on a non-segregated and plug-in basis. In essence, smart grids should seamlessly combine distributed generation with demand response.

This transition is largely perceived as the greatest disruption to the energy industry in a century and KEMA’s services allow for reliable consulting, testing, and certification of the many and varied technologies involved.

SmartGridSherpa is an online knowledge base designed to provide information and engage parties in dialogue around smart grid issues. It is a hub for content developed by KEMA (including podcasts, white papers, e-books and other articles), as well as for outside experts to share news and views. The site engages and educates existing and potential customers, media, and other stakeholders.

First published in Cleantech Infocus: 2010 - Equity Deals of the Year, January 2011.  Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd

Smart grid investment continues to attract the attention of venture backers, with 2010 seeing fund raising by OPOWER, Trilliant and Accent. And October saw the listing of German smart meter company Elster on the NYSE.

Smart building materials are attracting growing levels of investor interest. Venture deals in energy efficient materials included funding for French electrochromic glass manufacturer, Sage Electrochomics, from glass company Saint-Gobain, alongside venture investors. Hightex, a UK company which designs large area membrane roofs and facades, raised funding in the first half of the year. And Denmark’s PhotoSolar, which has developed technology for integrating solar shading into facade glazing, raised funds in the second half.

Cleantech People Moves in association with Climate Human Capital – September 2010

ZigBee Alliance, an association of technology companies, has named Larry Taylor as the head of its new European Officer and Director of European Standards Development. Taylor will lead a Cambridge, UK based team in expanding efforts in addressing the European Union’s needs in energy management standards and smart grid activities.
Renewable Energy Generation| EUROPE

First published in Cleantech magazine, July/August 2010. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd 2010

The Singapore Energy Market Authority’s ‘Intelligent Energy System’ pilot project is creating a ‘living laboratory’ for smart grid systems.

By Dr Denis Gross

Conventional electricity grids pose various challenges, not least of which is the inherent wastage in centralised generation models due to losses in conversion, transmission and distribution.  Industrial and commercial users are generally ‘savvy’ about consumption, and for the most part their usage patterns are steady and controlled. Domestic consumption, however, tends to display high volatility, with sharp peaks and troughs. These challenges alone might underpin the case for a ‘smart grid’. Add rising electricity prices, the need for energy security, growing levels of generation of intermittent renewable energy and the anticipated growth of electric vehicles, and it becomes clear that traditional grids must change if the world is to avoid energy rationing and power outages.