The major initiative in the electrical industry today is undoubtedly Smart Grid. When President Obama strongly supported the advancement of the century-old electrical grid with $11 billion for various initiatives in the stimulus package last year, the industry knew Smart Grid was coming—and fast.

Over the next 20 years, Smart Grid will be a prime creator of jobs in the electrical industry, but what exactly does that mean? A major implication is that if college campuses across the country don’t begin to educate their students on this movement, our ability to implement, support, and advance Smart Grid technologies across the electrical grid will be hindered. To that end, the electrical industry and education sector need to work closely to ensure that tomorrow’s workers obtain crucial education on Smart Grid technologies.

I recently visited the engineering departments at George Mason University (GMU) and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) with NEMA Smart Grid Director Paul Molitor, to expose students to the technologies and contributing factors of the Smart Grid movement. Professor Peter Pollak, who teaches at both schools, arranged the presentation.

Mr. Molitor, who was recently elected to the post of plenary secretary for the NIST Smart Grid Interoperability Panel, works directly with NEMA member companies to ensure that the industry cooperates on the development of Smart Grid standards. Thus, the students got first-hand industry knowledge from someone who is directly involved in many aspects of the Smart Grid initiative.

“Previously, I had no knowledge about this power grid project, nor would I have understood how many unique and important career possibilities that such a project would create,” said Daren Eveleigh, a first-year student at NOVA .

In order for Smart Grid to flourish, it is going to take a wholehearted collaboration between educators and industry leaders, with presentations like this being just one small step toward that goal.

Select image to view three 10-minute videos of the presentation at GMU.

Hot Topics

03.08.10
Proposed 2010 Editions of the Codes of New York State are Open for Public Comment  
Proposals to update the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and State Energy Conservation Construction Code were published in the January 13, 2010, edition of the New York State Register.

03.02.10
2010 Energy Outlook
Energy usage will be a critical factor in the future of the industrial sector, not to mention the U.S. economy as a whole.

03.01.10
MITA CT Radiation Dose Check Initiative
MITA Unveils New Industry-Wide Medical Radiation
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), the leading association representing the manufacturers, innovators and developers of medical imaging and radiation therapy systems, said it supports initiatives to reduce exposure to unnecessary radiation, further minimize medical errors and improve reporting of adverse events.

On the Hill/Around the Nation

03.03.10
Senate Approves Jobs Bill, NEMA Pushes Renovation Credits: The Senate approved a $15.5 billion “Jobs for Main Street Act” (HR 2847) by a vote of 70-28 on February 24. The package includes an expansion of the Build America Bonds program, tax incentives for hiring new workers, an increase in Section 179 expensing, and a one-year extension of highway trust fund programs. The bill returns to the House for additional consideration. NEMA’s efforts have focused on promoting a $10-15 billion jobs creation provision that would fund tax credits to renovate and retrofit buildings and manufacturing facilities with energy-efficient technologies. The Senate will begin discussing a second package of tax-extender and jobs provisions this week. NEMA is leading efforts to advance tax policies to increase deployment of energy-efficient technologies.

03.01.10
DOE Report Estimates Energy Savings Potential of SSL
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released analysis findings of the energy savings potential of solid state lighting (SSL) sources for general illumination applications compared to conventional light sources (e.g., incandescent and fluorescent).

03.01.10
U.S. Virgin Islands Makes Aggressive Energy Pledge at NREL
Governor Signs Agreement During Workshop with Energy, Interior Departments
The U.S. Virgin Islands can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by 60% within the next 15 years by developing its abundant renewable energy resources, Governor John P. deJongh Jr. announced at a workshop at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

International News

No international news in this edition of eiXtra.

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Industry News

Contracts

• University of Iowa Selects Rockwell Automation Software Solution to Reduce Environmental Impact
  The Rockwell Software energy-generation solution from Rockwell Automation will facilitate university staff in determining optimal production levels for the campus’s steam, chilled water, and electricity generation facilities to help reduce energy consumption, costs, and environmental impact. 03/02/10
  
  
• Von Roll Receives Major Contract from Hydro One
  Hydro One delivers electricity to homes and businesses across Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 kilometer high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities. 03/01/10

Personnel

• New KAEC Board Officers Seated
  The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives (KAEC) board of directors installed three new officers at its January 2010 meeting, including the first female board officer in KAEC’s 67-year history. 03/03/10

[ Industry News Archives ]

NEMA News

• NEMA’s Government Manager Mark Kohorst recently presented a webinar for the Association of Facilities Engineering. His webinar, entitled "Recycling Mercury-added Lamps: A Primer for Facility Managers," was hosted by AFE.
  It had 57 attendees ranging from Alaska to Massachusetts. Mark provided vital information for facility owners and managers on proper procedures for disposal of mercury-containing lamps. View presentation.
  
  
• Solid Gain in Motors Shipments to Close Out 2009
  NEMA’s Motors Shipments Index (MSI) increased 6.1 percent during the fourth quarter of 2009, marking the second consecutive gain for the index. 03/01/10

Standardizations Trends

• NEMA Publishes LSD 49-2010 Solid State Lighting for Incandescent Replacement—Best Practices for Dimming
  This new white paper, produced by NEMA’s Solid State Lighting Section, provides recommendations for the dimming and design of screw-based incandescent replacement solid state lighting (SSL) products. 02/24/10

[ NEMA News Archives ]

NEMA/BIS

• Lamp Indices Gain Ground During Fourth Quarter of 2009
  NEMA’s lamp indices for incandescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps increased 6.7 and 15.5 percent, respectively, during the fourth quarter of 2009. 03/03/10
  
  
• Industrial Controls Indices Rises for Second Consecutive Quarter
  NEMA’s Primary Industrial Controls Index registered a 2.3 percent quarter-to-quarter increase during the fourth quarter of 2009. 03/01/10

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