U.S.- Russia Collaboration on Smart Grids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2011
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Russian Energy Agency (REA) on July 21, 2010, signed a Protocol of Intent to deepen collaboration on energy efficiency, "smart grid" technology, and clean energy.
- USAID and the United States Energy Association (USEA) have expanded their on-going regional energy partnership to reengage with Russia under the Presidential Bi-national Commission. Cooperation in “smart grid” technology was identified as a mutual high priority by the Energy Efficiency sub-group of the Commission. USAID and USEA are working closely with the US Department of Energy in designing and implementing the cooperation.
- Following a visit to San Diego by officials from Belgorod interested in smart grid applications in April, a Memorandum of Understanding confirming interest in continuing the partnership was signed between San Diego authorities and Belgorod and Russia utility authorities in May and a return visit to Belgorod is planned in June.
- Following an initial scoping mission to Moscow in September 2010, USEA organized an exchange visit to Texas and Washington, DC in December 2010 for officials from the Ministry of Energy, Russian Energy Agency, Federal Grid Company, and private Russian IT companies.
- The exchange visit provided a 360 degree perspective on smart grid deployment through meetings and dialogue with the following Texas organizations: Center for Commercialization of Electric Technologies; Public Utility Commission of Texas; City of Austin, Texas; Austin Energy; Blue Bonnet Electric Cooperative; Center Point Energy; Electric Reliability Corporation of Texas; and American Electric Power.
- A Washington, DC two–day smart grid policy and technology workshop immediately followed the Texas exchange featuring participation of the U.S. Agency for International Development; U.S. Department of Energy; National Institute of Standards and Technology; North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Edison Electric Institute; and Carnegie Mellon University. The workshop examined the national legal and regulatory structures in the United States and Russia that support smart grid deployment.
- USEA and REA concluded the workshop with the development of a two year cooperative work plan:
- A series of business roundtables bringing together utility, policy and regulatory officials and vendors from the United States and Russia in dialogues to support smart grid business development and accelerated deployment of smart grid technology.
- Regional utility partnership exchange programs between selected Russian and American utilities focusing on smart grid induced energy efficiency; smart grid project management; implementation of intelligent networks; and improved customer service among other topics.
- A joint Russian/American study on regulatory, commercial, market structure and consumer impediments to smart grid deployment in the United States and Russia.
- Participation in the ongoing National Institute of Standards & Technology smart grid technology standards workshops.
- CenterPoint Energy, Austin Energy and Echelon Corporation travelled to Russia to conduct an exchange visit with JSC Kalugaenergo in March 2011. The Kaluga oblast is experiencing challenges meeting electricity demand due to rapid economic development fueled by foreign investment. The utilities discussed the potential for smart grid technology to improve both end user efficiency and the efficiency of the local distribution network as a mechanism for the oblast administration to meet demand and improve energy service delivery.
- Representatives from Belgorodeenergo and the Belgorod Oblast Administration traveled to San Diego and Silicon Valley in a municipal partnership exchange visit organized by the U.S. Department of Energy with USAID support in April 2011. Meetings were conducted with the City of San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric, Intel; Cisco Systems; Silver Spring Networks; Qualcomm; OnRamp Technologies; and Clean Tech San Diego. Discussions focused on the implementation of wireless technology in meter and distribution network smart grid technology deployment.
- The joint regulatory study is expected to commence in June 2011. The initial business roundtable will be conducted in Moscow in September/October 2011.
The achievements of the U.S.-Russia Presidential Commission are outlined in the Commission’s annual report, which can be accessed at www.state.gov/russiabpc.
The text of the Memorandum of Understanding on Smart Grid Cooperation can be found at: www.state.gov/russiabpc
Additional information regarding U.S.-Russia Cooperation on Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid Technology may be accessed at: http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2011/pr110526.html
For more information about USAID and its programs around the world please visit www.usaid.gov
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