Fw: DistribuTECH 2015: What's the killer app for the smart grid? There isn't one.

Via UtilityDive

This post from UtilityDive.com sums up why there is no consensus about a "killer app" in the power distribution industry, and I agree with the statements.

From my personal experience, a few years ago, companies large and small set on discovering what was the equivalent of Facebook in the power distribution world. As you reflect on the needs that utilities want to address, the outcome boiled down to a few sets of narrow needs, such as "how to I track asset usage", "who is not paying his bills", or "where are customers suffering power outages." When the industry gets solid solutions to these questions, I think time will come to research the next big opportunities.

My Snowpocalypse story, one year late(r)

There is a Winter Storm Watch for Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 in Georgia, calling for a snow forecast! Speaking of snow, I never got a chance to write about my experience during 'Snowpocalypse' in January 2014. So here is my story, one year late(r). The media announced heavy snowfall for Tuesday afternoon, Jan 28, 2014. Like everyone else, I went to work that morning; however, knowing that snow would cause significant delays in the afternoon, I decided to leave my car home and take the bus to work. CCT's express reverse commute took me comfortably to the office in Cobb County, in the Wildwood complex. From the late morning to afternoon, here is the rough sequence of events as I can recall: Snow was already falling by 11am. Some managers advised employees they could leave early. By noon, traffic on Powers Ferry Road was already completely stopped. At 2pm, I started watching traffic conditions for getting home. Already, one bus remained in the Kennessaw area for two hours. A few colleagues sent email updates over their phones saying traffic around the office was paralyzed. By 3pm, it became obvious that there would be no afternoon reverse commute service. I focused on two options: Spending one night (or three in hindsight) at the office, with limited supplies, etc. Walking to the Cumberland Mall Transfer Center and try to catch a bus from there.  At 4pm, I left the office and started walking in the snow to Cumberland Mall. At 5pm, I arrived at Cumberland Mall. Left Cumberland Mall by 5:30pm at reduced speed. Arrive to Midtown around 6:45pm. Many cars were stuck on local and arterial roads when I left office. Show was fresh and soft, but that was enough to cause stalls even on the slightest incline. Snowpocalypse shot I took on Windy Ridge Parkway. It is a 45 min walk to the mall, but walking was definitely faster than driving. When I arrived on Cobb Parkway, I thought I would stop for coffee and warmth, and surprise... both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts were closed! I figured managers let their employees leave early as well, so I proceeded to the mall.  I saw people checking in at the Sheraton Hotel adjacent to Cumberland Mall, possibly due to the weather. I hoped the mall would be still open, but when I arrived, employees were directing people out and closing the mall. I thus proceeded to Cumberland Transfer Center, which is also adjacent to the mall but opposite the hotel. A few dozen people were waiting there, some for three hours already. No CCT buses were to be seen, however. Shot I took at Cumberland Transfer Center - Stay close to stay warm! After waiting a few minutes, I wanted to check on the bus situation online and decide whether to wait or to walk home (a 7-mile walk). I went to a nearby Barnes and Noble store to attempt to connect to WiFi. On my way to the bookstore, hope returns! A MARTA bus #12 approaches. You could hear people cheering their relief as the bus approached to take everybody back to Midtown Atlanta. We proceeded to board the bus. The driver waived all fares given the unusual conditions. The bus soon left at slow speed. Thank you MARTA! There is hope! Shot I took boarding the bus to Midtown. The bus driver made an unusual turn and took the freeway instead of the local roads. Freeway conditions were only slightly better. Traffic was mostly clear to Midtown, and completely stopped to the suburbs. Many cars were stalled or abandoned on the shoulder or across multiple lanes. For us on the bus, the most perilous part of the journey was the freeway ascent to From West Paces Ferry to Moores Mill. Fortunately, the bus cleared the ascent without encountering too much ice. The rest of the trip was relatively smooth, and we arrived in Midtown safely.  I was lucky I made it home in less than three hours. Other people were less fortunate and slept in their cars, at their office, or at grocery stores. Quite a few others walked several miles home, in the snow, including those living near stops that were skipped by the bus. Tons of gas were lost in stalled cars and stopped traffic, and many more work hours not worked the following days. I was really lucky I made it home! Traffic Map Tuesday night (GDOT) Traffic Map Wednesday morning (GDOT) The positive news is that people walking on the street the following days were cheering the snow and the quietness of the inner Atlanta city. Following up "Snowpocalypse" were two events I know of that held debate on city readiness to snow storms: Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) Atlanta Magazine With Monday's sleet mix in the forecast, let's see how much progress was made since last year.

Random quote

"Renewable energy is most vulnerable to the very problems it seeks to avoid."

 (from IEEE Power & Energy, May-June 2013, found in my old notes)

Fw: Government warns US could fall behind in transportation tech

Via Engadget, USDOT

Video source: USDOT.

Today, Engadget revealed a USDOT case study that points out the lack of investments in transportation technology in the U.S., and that concerns all modes of transportation: automobile, rail, transit, and air travel. Find more at the links above and check out the DOT videos!