As governments, utility companies and consumers alike strive to become more energy independent, the smart grid has risen in popularity. Using two-way digital communication, the smart grid overlays typical electrical grids with a wireless metering system that, for the first time, allows average consumers to react to changes in grid conditions and sell surplus energy back to their utility companies via a smart meter located in the home or business.
Smart meters like this one are growing in popularity worldwide.
Since the smart grid was first implemented in Italy in 2005, municipal governments in American cities, such as Austin, TX and Boulder, CO have started switching to smart meters in order to save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability and transparency. Fueled by government incentives such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it’s estimated that by 2015, 18 percent of the world’s meters will be converted to smart meters for a total of 250 million smart meters worldwide.
An example of a Lithium Thionyl Chloride battery designed for smart meters.
Even in the smart grid, power outages are inevitable. Therefore, smart meters must contain reliable primary and back-up battery power in order to maintain the grid’s unique two-way communication. Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2) is one of the perfect battery technologies for smart meters because it can operate in a range of global climates with solid reliability and minimal maintenance. In the event of an outage, Li-SOCl2 batteries ensure that smart meters remain active, capturing and reporting data. In addition, Li-SOCl2 batteries are a green technology that last up to 20 years, and are even environmentally friendly if disposed of properly.
Palladium Energy stays abreast of the newest technologies and is entrenched in emerging markets – including green power. Our expertise in lithium-based battery technologies includes Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2), and is why the world’s largest smart meter manufacturers turn to Palladium for back-up power solutions.
–Tom Larsen, Product Manager
