About SmartGridMD

Smart Grid 101

A Smart Grid is characterized by two-way communication of electricity and real-time information.  It should enable electric utility customers to actively manage their electricity usage; accommodate all generation and storage options; enable new products, services, and markets; provide power quality for the digital economy; optimize asset utilization and operate efficiently; anticipate and respond to system disturbances; and operate resiliency against attacks and natural disasters.

Numerous opportunities for our economy, environment, and future would be made possible with a Smart Grid. It could allow the seamless integration of renewable energy sources; provide more consumer choice; exploit the use of green building standards; make use of solar energy all day and night; allow large-scale energy storage; and enable nationwide use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Project Overview

Energetics Incorporated, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and R.W. Beck are partnering with the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) on an exciting new "smart grid" analysis for the state. The project team is undertaking an extensive research and analysis effort to determine the feasibility of designing a Smart Grid Program for Maryland. Such a program might incorporate energy efficiency, demand response, renewable resources, distributed generation and combined heat and power, and transmission strategies to help implement the EmPOWER Maryland goals adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2008.  

In addition to research and analysis, the Maryland Energy Administration will sponsor two stakeholder education and outreach events, including two half-day meetings and a Maryland Smart Grid Forum.

The Smart Grid Maryland project includes the following four elements:

• Review of Smart Grid Technologies and Programs
  This project element includes a summary of Smart Grid technologies and programs.  The project team is conducting an extensive literature search, as well as research on national and regional activities, implementation strategies, and results.  The project team is also performing an initial cost/benefit analysis that will include expected system efficiency savings and reliability enhancements as well as customer bill savings from Smart Grid program elements.  Furthermore, the project team is identifying current Smart Grid-enabling pilot projects in Maryland and in other states.  View the Smart Grid Technologies and Programs Report (PDF 1.36 MB) and Read the MEA Press Release (PDF 98.9 KB)
• Analysis and Implementation Order of Smart Grid Elements
  The second project element is an analysis and report on the potential technology and policy solutions that could work synergistically to provide one GW of utility-scale capacity for Maryland and that will help to achieve the goals of EmPOWER Maryland using smart grid technologies and/or smart grid technology alternatives.
• Smart Grid Maryland Program Recommendations 
  The third project element is a set of recommendations for a Smart Grid Maryland program, focusing on the components that have the most potential for successfully implementing five GW of peak demand savings and 10.5 GWh of electricity savings in Maryland by 2015.
• Regulatory Information and Report
  The final project element will be development of objective information and guidance to Governor O’Malley, the Maryland Public Service Commission, and other key stakeholders regarding the elements of a Smart Grid for Maryland, which of these elements are necessary and cost-effective for Maryland consumers and can enhance the security, reliability, and efficiency of the electricity system.