RALEIGH, N.C. – President Barack Obama’s multi-billion dollar stimulus package for smart grid technologies is good news for start-up companies like Consert, which will soon launch a pilot project to demonstrate its energy management system that combines hardware and software designed to save consumers money and keep utilities operating effectively and efficiently.
Consert, Inc., based in Raleigh, N.C., provides a market-driven, incentive-based solution to utilities, residences and small businesses by which they can conserve energy, save money, eliminate the need for new construction of peak-consumption generator facilities and begin the transition to alternative, renewable energy sources. In addition to a patent-pending method to locate, measure, aggregate and verify carbon savings, a Consert smart grid can report and manage alternative energy sources which facilitates the installation of solar and wind generators as well as the adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
In association with the FREEDM initiative (a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program), Consert, Inc. will soon launch a pilot program at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. “We have completed testing of the Internet gateway that will allow participating students to monitor and adjust their home energy consumption from a remote location and we will begin installing home energy controllers later this month,” said Roy Moore, chief development officer of Consert, Inc.
Using an interactive display terminal installed in their apartments or by logging onto a Web site, students in 20 to 30 off-campus apartments will be able to enter their energy usage patterns (or select from a set of typical profiles). The system then works to reduce “ghost” consumption on high consumption devices such as air conditioners and water heaters that draw energy when not in use.
Consert estimates that the students will reduce their household energy use by a minimum of 10 to 15 percent. The technology allows students to set a target electric bill amount and the system manages to that target based on the student’s preferences. Students can also see how much money they are saving and how much they’re cutting down on greenhouse gasses. Consert will also provide 700kpps or better Internet access to any apartment that does not have an Internet connection.
“Our overall goal is to demonstrate between 1 and 10 megawatts of renewable energy distribution across a Consert driven smart grid within the next year and a half,” Moore said. “We are in the process of finalizing additional pilots. The results will support our nation’s necessary transition to alternative, renewable energy sources.”
Consert’s technology allows mandated greenhouse gas management to begin, provides income from carbon credit sales, allows free-market competition for hardware, establishes an intelligent and more reliable smart grid and creates green-collar jobs. For more information, visit Consert.com.
Contact:
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Savannah Whaley, ext. 225
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Maria Pierson, 222
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