Dec 4 2009
The first Smart Grid Center was officially opened in Europe by Lord Hunt, UK’s Energy Minister at a ceremony conducted in the Bracknell headquarters of GE Energy. This new center will help in supporting the attempts taken by the United Kingdom to enable their consumers to use energy in an efficient way thus reducing carbon emissions.
The new Smart Grid Center will showcase technologies that will be used to improve the usage of energy in the United Kingdom. Through this showcase consumers will be provided with a detailed view of the advantages that exist in carbon footprint and energy reducing measures. The publication of the results of a “2050 Vision Document”, which is drafted by the Energy Networks Strategy Group, and a smart grid policy document were announced by the government at the opening ceremony of the Smart Grid Center.
Lord Hunt during this ceremony highlighted the need to build a smarter electricity grid by acquiring the support of technology companies, utilities and consumers who are willing to cooperate with the government.
Magued ElDaief, Managing Director of GE Energy U.K., commented on the need to deliver cleaner and smarter energy in order to meet the global demand for efficient usage of energy. ElDaief further remarked that the company has already started to build and test real-world solutions that are ready for use. He added that by the year 2020 smart meters will be installed in all households by the UK government towards efficient usage of energy.
These meters, according to ElDaief, will soon be used even in workplaces and in homes in order to maximize the performance of power plants. Government officials, scientists, utilities and engineers are invited to the Smart Grid Center in order to work together in providing the future with efficient, smarter and cleaner energy.