Greentech Lead Asia: LG Electronics (LG) has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S.-based Pecan Street to participate
in a smart grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas.
As part of Pecan Street’s Industry Advisory Council, LG
will contribute its expertise to this unique research of smart homes, energy
management and consumer electronics, until 2015. The company’s primary focus
will be on the development of effective home energy management systems.
“In addition to our leadership in energy-efficient smart appliances, our
involvement with Pecan Street demonstrates LG’s ongoing commitment to smart
grid technology,” said Skott Ahn, chief technology officer of LG Electronics.
“We are excited by the opportunity to further promote the burgeoning smart grid
industry, both domestically and globally.”
Pecan Street is conducting one of the world’s most unique and advanced consumer
energy research trials in Austin. More than 450 volunteer homeowners are
testing energy and consumer electronic products and services while their energy
use is analyzed. Since the research began, more than 60 residents have acquired
electric vehicles and more than 200 homes have installed rooftop solar.
For its part in the demonstration, LG will install its advanced air
conditioners, smart refrigerators, smart washing machines, LED lighting and the
Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) in participating homes.
LG is also displaying its technology and industry-leading
smart grid-ready products will also be on display locally at the Pike Powers
Lab, the nation’s first non-profit smart grid research lab for carrying out
research, commercialization and educational activities.
In Korea, LG is continuing its deep involvement in the Jeju Smart Grid Project
along with fellow participants LG Chem, LG Uplus, LG CNS, and GS E&C since
2010. LG also joined the German government’s Smart Watts project in the city of
Aachen in 2011, becoming the first Korean company to export its smart grid
expertise to Europe.
LG joins several other high-profile companies that are working with Pecan
Street in-cluding Dell, Intel, Sony, Oncor, OnStar and SunEdison.