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Smart energy interoperability: it's now or never
Anne-Francoise Pele
8/10/2012 10:48 AM EDT
Talking about smart energy raises the absolute need for some interoperability between all standards. HomePlug Alliance, WiFi Alliance and ZigBee Alliance have founded the Consortium for Smart Energy Profile 2 Interoperability (CSEP2) to provide the smart grid ecosystem –including utilities, product
vendors and consumers- confidence in application and device
interoperability and to accelerate the availability of products and
services.
On July 31, 2012, CSEP2 announced it had completed its formal incorporation and achieved its first interoperability Plugfest.
I could have exposed the consortium's general directions and objectives. Instead, I have decided to reach out to each alliance and discuss their individual vision and expectations from the consortium.
Three questions were asked to Edgar Figueroa, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, Rob Ranck, HomePlug’s president, and to Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance.
As you read their answers, you will realize that they all speak on behalf of their respective alliance, not on behalf of CSEP.
We will start with Edgar Figueroa, chairman of the Consortium and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. But, before that, note that the consortium was created in Oct. 2011 and is developing common testing documents and processes for certifying SEP 2 interoperability. Products to be certified are expected to include thermostats, appliances, electric meters, gateways, electric vehicles and other devices in the smart grid.
On July 31, 2012, CSEP2 announced it had completed its formal incorporation and achieved its first interoperability Plugfest.
I could have exposed the consortium's general directions and objectives. Instead, I have decided to reach out to each alliance and discuss their individual vision and expectations from the consortium.
Three questions were asked to Edgar Figueroa, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, Rob Ranck, HomePlug’s president, and to Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance.
As you read their answers, you will realize that they all speak on behalf of their respective alliance, not on behalf of CSEP.
We will start with Edgar Figueroa, chairman of the Consortium and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. But, before that, note that the consortium was created in Oct. 2011 and is developing common testing documents and processes for certifying SEP 2 interoperability. Products to be certified are expected to include thermostats, appliances, electric meters, gateways, electric vehicles and other devices in the smart grid.
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dougwithau
8/12/2012 1:44 PM EDT
This is my opinion, it does not reflect the opinion of my current or past employers. I worked at a "Smart Energy company" implementing Zigbee based devices that interfaced with smart meters.
If you are reading this as an investor or person in the smart energy space, please take note. This is the unvarnished truth.
Smart energy is a good idea with no real market. The home user does not want another way for marketers to monitor their behavior. No,I do not need an email from my furnace or fridge telling me it is time to buy a genuine replacement filter. Energy savings is nice, but when the savings does not pay back the initial investment for 5-7 years, it is not interesting for most home users. I will not replace my furnace or fridge because it is "smart".
Commercial energy saving systems are a different story. There is some money in that market.
The utility is the other side of the smart energy story. Utilities do not want to manage the complication of a home full of smart devices. Building, commissioning and managing the installation of a secure wireless network kills any possible profit. There is a basic misunderstanding of the utility business model. If it is capital equipment, the PUC votes to pay for it. If not, don't do it. Smart energy has so far failed in front of the PUC.
Beyond some stimulus funds, there really is no market.
Ask the basic marketing question. Who want this technology? What problem does it solve?
The answer is no one, not the utility or the consumer. Electricity is sold at 10-30 cents per kilowatt. Consumers have no interest in saving, especially when the saving is up front expensive and seen as an inconvenience.
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dougwithau
8/12/2012 1:44 PM EDT
Rant continued to get past the 2000 character limit.
Do you, as an EETimes reader, who does not represent the technical know how of an average consumer, know what you pay per kwh for electricity? Off the top of your head?
Cisco, Microsoft and Google have all abandoned their plans in home energy management. Maybe they are all wrong.
All I am saying is, don't throw pickles down a rat hole. Remember, sunk costs, don't put good money after bad.
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bearchow
8/13/2012 9:41 AM EDT
Matter of fact, I don't know, or really care how much I pay for electricity. Nor do I care for smart appliances, or smart meters (which in real life have led to more complaints from consumers that they are used by power companies to get more money out of them, not less).
Not to mention the fact that modern jargon like "interoperability" and garbage like that set off alarm bells that I am about to either be bs'd or bored.
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iniewski
8/13/2012 1:03 PM EDT
I know how much I pay ($40/month) and think this is too low...at that price I have absolutely no incentive to cut my energy use...however, I do have an incentive to cut down my coffee consumption which is $200/month...Kris
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Gus campeon
8/16/2012 10:41 AM EDT
Hi Iniewski: Could you tell us where you live? Because 40 bucks per month seems to be a very low rate for electricity consumption? Regards, Gus
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iniewski
8/16/2012 12:10 PM EDT
To @Gus campeon, I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada...small house, 2,000 sq ft...granted we get the lowest electricity rates in the world, $0.07/kWh...but even if the rate was double it would be $80 a month, still less then daily coffee...Kris
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