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Milton Keynes to become a World Class, Low Carbon City?
8th September 2010
American conglomerate GE, is working with electricity distributor Central Networks on a project proposal to put the city of Milton Keynes at the forefront of the United Kingdom's transition to smart grid technology and low carbon urban living. The proposal has been submitted to U.K. energy regulator Ofgem in an effort to secure a slice of its £500 million Low Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF).
The proposal, called MKSmart2020, aims to demonstrate how a low carbon energy network might operate as well as gather operational data for future initiatives. If the proposal is selected, Milton Keynes is poised to become a world-class example for what a low carbon energy infrastructure could achieve, along with the very real potential of the United Kingdom's quest to reduce energy emissions 20 percent by 2020.
"MKSmart2020 is much more than a technology demonstration or product rollout," said John Crackett Managing Director of Central Networks. "It is a living laboratory to fine-tune how consumers, businesses and government can mesh as a force to change their thinking and how they interact with energy. Together, we hope to leverage new technologies to demonstrate how we can live within a new, cleaner, more efficient energy model that keeps improving lifestyles without jeopardizing our environment."
If the proposal is selected, GE's expertise would focus on the smart grid initiatives within the project that would improve the efficiency, reliability and understanding of energy throughout the power grid-from generation to consumption. Lessons learned from Milton Keynes could serve as a roadmap for other end-to-end smart city deployments throughout the European Union and the world.
"There is no single solution that transforms a city from today's carbon-heavy energy model to a clean smart city model," said Keith Redfearn, General Manager-Digital Energy, Northern Europe for GE Energy Services. "Using what we've learned from deploying smart grid solutions around the world, we're proposing a holistic transformation that upgrades basic infrastructure to state-of-the-art energy management systems. The citizens of Milton Keynes could have capabilities and opportunities they never had before."
A smarter grid has the potential to give consumers in-depth information on their energy usage. As a result, consumers will be able to understand the consequence of the energy decisions they make every day and be able to better manage their energy consumption and costs. Once deployed, new grid software and sensors and controls will make it easy and cost-effective to add more local renewable power, such as localised wind generation and biomass as well as making plug-in electric cars a viable transport option.
Ofgem is due to announce winning project proposals in December 2010. If the Milton Keynes proposal is successful, the project could begin in early 2011, pending anticipated funding.
