Astrid Atkinson helped move Google search from a centralized, top-down system to a massively distributed system. Now she wants to do the same thing to the electricity system. We geek out about grid architecture.
When I called the CA Energy Commission, I asked them if they keep track of all of the individual rooftop solar systems of all of citizens who have them. The answer was that they know how many rooftop systems there are in CA but not how much power each one has, or how many kWh are used. If the CEC does not know this then I doubt that the utility does. If the utility did keep track of this then I think that Ms Atkinson's job would be a whole lot easier with DER manipulation.
- 00:06:30: Introduced that concepts are transferable.
Of course they are! Another example is found in Volt's "We are closing in on zero-carbon cement" where principles from electro-chemistry are applied to the creation of cement. It is unfortunate that cross pollination across academic silos does not happen more often.
- 00:46:15 Discussing load balancing at the local level and reaching up the chain when more electricity is needed.
While I understand that concept, I don't see reducing our attention for new transmission lines. First, the sources for electricity at that level of the model are in different locations compared to today's sources. And second, transmission carried electricity must be planned out for the worse case scenario which is the every local grid is delivering only x% (pick a number) at the same time.
- 00:56:20 FERC 2022
What incentives can be put in place to have a DSO coordinator who (among other responsibilties) work with Aggregators in helping develop and manage supply and demand?
This is a great conversation. However, to make this work, we need to appreciate electrons and bits are different, and you need to solve for both. This approach addresses solving for the bits, but you need to be able to look at the physics of the network to solve the entire problem. The Google tapestry project struggled on the same premise.
"We could use a lot more person-power on this problem, that's for sure."
So, how might a computer science graduate contribute to a project like this? Asking for a college senior who mentioned she was interested to find a niche working on energy systems. :^D
Such a great episode! Thank you both. I spend part of the year in Taos and was delighted to hear that our little electric coop works with Camus. I'm thinking I should send them my resume.
When I called the CA Energy Commission, I asked them if they keep track of all of the individual rooftop solar systems of all of citizens who have them. The answer was that they know how many rooftop systems there are in CA but not how much power each one has, or how many kWh are used. If the CEC does not know this then I doubt that the utility does. If the utility did keep track of this then I think that Ms Atkinson's job would be a whole lot easier with DER manipulation.
- 00:06:30: Introduced that concepts are transferable.
Of course they are! Another example is found in Volt's "We are closing in on zero-carbon cement" where principles from electro-chemistry are applied to the creation of cement. It is unfortunate that cross pollination across academic silos does not happen more often.
- 00:46:15 Discussing load balancing at the local level and reaching up the chain when more electricity is needed.
While I understand that concept, I don't see reducing our attention for new transmission lines. First, the sources for electricity at that level of the model are in different locations compared to today's sources. And second, transmission carried electricity must be planned out for the worse case scenario which is the every local grid is delivering only x% (pick a number) at the same time.
- 00:56:20 FERC 2022
What incentives can be put in place to have a DSO coordinator who (among other responsibilties) work with Aggregators in helping develop and manage supply and demand?
This is a great conversation. However, to make this work, we need to appreciate electrons and bits are different, and you need to solve for both. This approach addresses solving for the bits, but you need to be able to look at the physics of the network to solve the entire problem. The Google tapestry project struggled on the same premise.
Great episode - love the conversation and the philosophy tangents. All power to Camus and Ms Atkinson's company. I hope this is happening
"We could use a lot more person-power on this problem, that's for sure."
So, how might a computer science graduate contribute to a project like this? Asking for a college senior who mentioned she was interested to find a niche working on energy systems. :^D
Outstanding episode, David. Many thanks! And a brilliant business started by Ms Atkinson. Best of luck!
Such a great episode! Thank you both. I spend part of the year in Taos and was delighted to hear that our little electric coop works with Camus. I'm thinking I should send them my resume.