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Intel Open Energy Initiative

As the number one purchaser of renewable energy in the US and a strategic investor in renewable energy start-up companies, Intel is helping lead the development of the clean energy industry. An imperative that is closely linked to clean energy is to help make smart energy a global reality.

To that end, the Intel Open Energy Initiative aligns and mobilizes Intel and its partners around the application of technology and open standards to accelerate the global transition to smart energy. Specifically Intel is working to accelerate the integration of and synergy between intelligent renewable energy sources, smart grids, smart buildings, and empowered energy consumers.

Intel's actions include:

  • Policy influence
  • Leadership in relevant government programs, standards bodies, consortia, and coalitions
  • Partnerships with utilities on energy efficiency and smart grid programs
  • Strategic venture investment via Intel Capital

Reducing global CO2 energy costs

According to the Smart2020 report released by The Climate Group, the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enable smart grids and smart buildings, has the potential to avert 3.71 gigatons of CO2 equivalent global emissions, worth $464 Billion (US) in global energy cost savings, by the year 2020. To achieve this goal of energy savings and CO2 avoidance the energy sector must undergo a significant transformation; including rapid integration of renewable energy sources, the build-out of smart grids, and technology-based empowerment of energy consumers.

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Designing for flexibility and adaptability

An issue facing smart grids is the absence of an agreed upon specification prescribing how all grid components should be architected and made to communicate with each other. There are many competing open standards and proprietary protocols. To help address this interoperability challenge, key grid sub-systems and consumer-side systems should be open platforms, i.e. designed to flexibly support a variety of standard interfaces. In addition, grid systems should be future-proof, supporting new innovations and the integration of future applications and services.

Grids need to be smart, programmable and adaptable. A way to achieve this is to use open standards and microprocessor-based intelligence throughout the grid.

Distributed, connected, collective intelligence

Distributed intelligence, throughout the grid and its end points, enables optimized levels of automation and decision-making at each link in the chain. It also enables greater communication, visibility, and collaboration across the entire energy chain. Here are some examples of how distributed, connected, collective intelligence is optimizing the effectiveness in the energy network as a whole:

  • Embedded microprocessors in distributed renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar systems, enabling them to exchange data and operational status with the grid.
  • Real-time monitoring, analysis, and control enabled by microprocessor-based intelligence in the electricity transmission and distribution networks.
  • Energy management dashboards running on PC's and other microprocessor-based systems, empowering energy consumers to view and optimize the behavior of the networked energy assets within their personal smart grid; from appliances to rooftop solar systems and electric vehicles.
  • Networks of efficiency-minded consumers that are using PC's and online social networks to share best practices, aggregate energy savings, and participate in carbon-reduction competitions.

The successful transformation of the energy sector to the smart energy sector requires the ability to harness the full potential of renewable energy sources, distributed microprocessor intelligence, open standards, consumer empowerment, and network effects. The Intel Open Energy Initiative is working to help accelerate this transformation.

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