By Jonathan Susser | August 12, 2019
Curt and his wife, Vesna, are putting the finishing touches on an off-grid cabin outside their home in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The 220-square-foot, heated and ventilated, 1-bedroom space has been a year-long side project for the couple. When it is[…]
By Jonathan Susser | June 1, 2019
Electric utilities have been installing smart meters throughout the country. Today, tens of millions can be found in homes, and they are now the most common type of meter in the U.S. The technology is a key component of the[…]
By Jonathan Susser | January 24, 2019
As North Carolina’s utilities modernize power generation and distribution, new growth opportunities will arise that spur economic development and improve quality of life. One way the smart grid creates new opportunities is by providing a competitive edge when recruiting businesses. Hardening[…]
By Jonathan Susser | October 18, 2018
In February 2017, the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) and Tideland EMC launched a microgrid project on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks. The microgrid was the first in North Carolina electric cooperative territory, but it wouldn’t be the[…]
By Kristi Brodd | October 17, 2018
Economic development efforts are incredibly important for communities in order to create and retain jobs and improve quality of life. It takes a great deal of collaboration between a team of state and local partners to successfully bring new business[…]
By Jonathan Susser | August 9, 2018
In the 1980s and 1990s, the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) managed a water heater load control program for demand response. When a peak demand period was anticipated – typically a very cold early morning in the winter and[…]
By Jonathan Susser | July 25, 2018
People often fail to appreciate electricity until they lose it. But having the lights go out even for a short period of time can have enormous consequences, and the number of reported outages throughout the U.S. has been rising. In[…]
By Jonathan Susser | April 30, 2018
With traditional electricity generation, utilities balance supply and demand, providing the necessary amount in real time. But what if some of that electricity could be held and then deployed when it is most needed? This idea is known as energy[…]
By Lindsay Brecheisen | December 28, 2017
Today, we live in the information age where our technologies are able to automatically adapt, modify, analyze and learn from our everyday behaviors and preferences. We have smart homes, smart phones, smart cars and smart everything else but what about[…]
By Kristi Brodd | October 4, 2017
Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, is the name for new technologies that provide two-way communication with smart meters. The technologies enable electric companies to analyze energy usage, identify potential problems, provide better electric service and implement programs that can help[…]
