GridPoint SmartGrid

Suzanne Lauer, Director of Public Relations for GridPoint, recently spoke with CalFinder about SmartGrid. The SmartGrid platform helps utilities efficiently balance demand and supply, promote environmental stewardship, and fuel the adoption of renewable energy sources. Lauer explains how GridPoint’s energy management systems help consumers see and control energy consumption and costs.

In Part 2 of our interview, Lauer expounds on the manner in which traditional energy systems are changing and how GridPoint meets evolving customer demands in a unique way.

Q: What do you think inhibits homeowners most in moving away from traditional power systems?

A: Ease of use. GridPoint makes it easy for homes and businesses to integrate renewable energy sources and sell excess power to the utility, reducing energy costs.

GridPoint’s “plug-and-play” design replaces the traditionally complex, custom installations of the balance of system (BOS) required for renewable energy installations. It acts as an intelligent hub connecting homes or businesses to a renewable energy source, backup power, the electric grid, and online energy management tools.

GridPoint’s Web portal allows homeowners to create a personal energy profile to automatically optimize energy usage based on consumption patterns and utility rate schedules. User-friendly, graphical interfaces empower homeowners to easily monitor energy usage (i.e., energy-usage patterns, renewable energy production, and the available energy stored in the batteries).

Q: Is there anything comparable to GridPoint device out there now? What makes GridPoint different and better?

A: GridPoint’s system is unique. In addition to providing consumers with an easy way to incorporate renewable energy and manage their energy usage, GridPoint is a critical enabler of the Smart Grid, allowing electric utilities to efficiently manage peak periods through a distributed, intelligent network of GridPoint appliances. The network enables utilities to control loads, store energy, and produce power, as well as harness solar energy produced by their customers.

Also, unlike many solar systems, GridPoint Connect’s battery backup feature alleviates the frustrations of a power outage. The appliance harvests energy from a residential or commercial solar array or wind turbine even when the electric grid fails. Customers can enjoy the benefits of increased battery longevity supplemented by the sun as well as enjoy hours, or even days, of clean, instant backup power.

Q: Where do you see solar power going in the next five years?  Do you see traditional energy systems changing? Where does GridPoint fit in to that picture?

We see the market for solar energy continuing to grow. In addition, utilities are beginning to adopt intelligent, clean technologies that will help integrate solar, wind and other alternative energy sources into the grid. We believe our system will help to enable the mass adoption of renewable energy and also help utilities create the Smart Grid, which will help reduce carbon emissions and conserve fuel, capital, and land resources.