SCTE has announced the formation of a new working group within its Energy Management Subcommittee committed to developing “microgrid” technology for the cable industry.
A microgram is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid.
Chaired by Tim Martinson, VP of Emerge Alliance, the working group’s charter will be to define operational practices and standards for microgrids, and to facilitate communications between service providers, industry partners and other standards orgs about the technology.
The group will also be charged with educating the cable industry on the applicability and use of microgrid technology in cable operator facilities, and to demonstrate that the technology is deployable and manageable for service providers.
“While much of the industry’s focus in recent years has been on reducing power costs and consumption, sustainability and the ability to maintain operations in the face of grid power interruptions are topics that are key to operators’ businesses,” said Martinson, in a statement. “Microgrids can contribute new solutions in three key areas that have been raised during the Energy 2020 meetings—energy cost, energy availability, and the seamless ability to incorporate renewable technologies into the power portfolio.”
Derek DiGiacomo, senior director of energy programs and business continuity for the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, added: “As we’ve shown with our own projects at SCTE•ISBE headquarters, photovoltaic systems, fuel cells, storage batteries, and other sources can maintain essential powering when the utility grid is unavailable. The expertise of the Microgrid Working Group will jumpstart the ability of the Energy Management Subcommittee to provide the industry with standards and operational practices related to hardened availability and renewability of power supplies.”
