The technology engagement will include an array of GE products that affect energy in homes, on power lines and in a utility’s network control center. Home energy technologies in the demonstration include advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meters with pricing and WiMAX communications interfaces that serve as the hub of home energy savings.
Savings tools operated through the meter include home energy management systems, programmable thermostats, smart appliances that perform activities based on energy availability and cost and demand-response systems that reduce home energy usage during times of peak energy demand.
Grid infrastructure and control technologies in the demonstration include automated outage identification and restoration software, field-force automation and deployment systems and grid-wide network management software.
Mark Norbom, president and CEO of GE’s China business, said: “China has experienced unbelievable growth over the past decade, creating a massive need for energy to power businesses and consumer lifestyles so the time is right for Yangzhou to become a smart city.
“As Chinese engineers design new cities and upgrade existing infrastructure, we’re going to show them how GE technology can help build a world-class model of reliability and efficiency at just about every point in the transmission, distribution and consumption processes.”
The initiative may also include installation and demonstration of home-based charging stations for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles PHEVs. Teamed with dynamic pricing that encourages charging overnight, PHEVs can enable electric cars to become more commonplace reducing China’s need for oil while lowering the carbon footprint of each mile driven.
