Electical Contractor

It’s a generally accepted belief that people tend to be wary of things that are unfamiliar to them, so it would make sense this behavior would extend to the smart grid and smart meters, a relatively new trend in an industry on which most consumers are not educated.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a report that promised to shake up the broadband world. To some extent, the report, “Measuring Broadband America,” provided results that weren’t very surprising but still good to see on paper.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Verizon signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could lead to the development of innovative ways to reduce energy use in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.

Editor's Note: for more pictures from Joplin, click here. On May 22, 2011, one of the deadliest tornadoes in our nation’s history ripped through the city of Joplin, Mo. Winds faster than 200 mph tore a path of devastation nearly a half-mile wide and 10 miles long.

In June, electric utility Pepco began installing advanced digital electric meters, also referred to as smart meters, throughout its Maryland service area.

Spring roared in like an angry lion, crashing through many states, including North Carolina. The state experienced its worst tornadoes in more than 20 years.

Dominion Virginia Power is volunteering to close a West Virginia coal-fired power station as part of its plan to build a natural-gas fired power station in northwestern Virginia.

After five years of construction—which is considered fast for this type of project—the Trans Bay Cable (TBC) under the San Francisco Bay went into commercial service in late November.

One of the biggest obstacles to kick-starting the alternative-energy industries is cash. Funding pays for research and development of new and more efficient products, which makes the industries more cost competitive with traditional power sources. Without the money, it’s a proverbial Catch-22.