Smart House

In an article by Libby Tucker of the Colombian in Sunday’s edition, she wrote on a very timely subject for continued discussion and growth possibilities in the Camas Washougal area.

The Smart Grid industry is growing rapidly. I specialize in working for companies throughout the US that need critical staff within energy storage, another key component within the smart grid and positioned for massive growth over the next few years.

Local Camas companies such as Sharp, WaferTech, and UL (notice they are not located in the Port of CW) are well positioned to contribute to the smart grid and thus for growth in the near future.

If you are unfamiliar with the smart grid, it provides consumers – residential and commercial business with the ability to  integrate into the power grid with the internet and consumer products to make energy more efficient. Examples are appliances – imagine your refrigerator having a device on it that allows the PUD to monitor its efficiency, same with your dryer, washing machine, oven, water heaters, air-conditioning. And the PUD’s ability to increase or decrease power to your home based on your usage needs, the weather or outside influences. Imagine that you are out of town and want to monitor and control your utilities from a laptop or iphone. That’s what the smart grid is all about.

The Pacific Northwest is already positioned very well to be a leader in the Smart grid industry  - we have many company resources already in place as well as educational; two of Washington Universities offer master level programs in power engineering (WSU and UW) Gonzaga offers undergrad studies in power. The smart energy industry already accounts for $15 Billion in annual sales. The Pacific NW already has a $2Billion share of the industry. As we continue to create a job rich energy technology sector, Camas and Washougal can continue to be a part of that growth.

One thing to keep in mind as the CW area continues to grow and attract new businesses to the area – it is advantageous for our communities and schools to SELL these companies the land and buildings. Companies moving into the area who are offered a LEASE through the Port does the City and Schools very little in the way of revenues. It’s very helpful to the port in collecting revenue – but NOT our community. When the Port leases land, 73% of the revenues leave the area. 53% goes to the State of WA, 20% to the county. 0 % goes to the local schools. So even when CW attracts new business to our community, it is vitally important to our schools and cities that they buy the land and buildings.

The smart grid concept also has its critics and concerns:

1. The existing power grid, which hasn’t been changed much since the power grid was built – can it handle the smart grid? 60% of the existing power grid needs replaced. With smart grid technologies, much of this can be eliminated with such new technologies as microgrids.

2. Big Brother fears – with all these sensors, monitors on your appliances throughout your home, can the PUD  or government obtain too much information abut our private lives?

3. Will there be an “energy police” that fine people for too much energy use?

These are concerns that will continue to be wrestled with for some time.

The CW area is prime for new business moving into the area. Cities are willing to offer incentives. We have a good talent pool, and cost to business is competitive. The smart grid technology is coming like it or not, and expected to receive a large infusion from the Obama recovery stimulus incentives as well as venture capital companies loosening their purse strings and starting to invest in start ups and existing business again.

Our community can take advantage of this industry by aggressively recruiting businesses like the Sharps and Silicon Electronics – companies that contribute to this growing industry – increasing our employment base, local economy, housing and schools.

-Gary Perman

For more information and resources on this industry:

www.thecolumbian.com

www.climatesolutions.org