Smart Grid: San Diego Gas and Electric signs MOU with Russian Federation

In evidence of a pending global Smart Grid, and the power of these new so-called “sub-national” agreements, heralded by the U.S. Department of State and the White House,  San Diego’s Mayor and the San Diego Gas and Electric Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Belgorod in the Russian Federation, for joint cooperation in the development of the Smart Grid.

The OG&E Transmission Line Project

The Smart Grid, an energy-management system of connected distribution systems, transmission lines, smart meters, and real-time monitoring systems,  is explained by the Dept. of Energy here (the spin), and by Patrick Wood, editor of The August Review here (the non-spin):  researcher Vicky Davis of Channeling Reality has information here.

Smart Meter diagram

The opening paragraphs of the MOU read:

“This Memorandum of Understanding (“Memorandum”) is entered into this 24 day of May 2011 by and between Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Centre, JSC (IDGC of Centre), a corporation and existing under the law of the Russian Federation, the Government of Belgorod Region and San Diego Gas & Electric Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California (“SDG&E”) and the Office of the Mayor of the City of San Diego, California (collectively, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”).

PREAMBLE:

Whereas, the Parties are seeking to develop mutually beneficial cooperation as part of the smart grid partnership program under the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission’s Energy Working Group;

Whereas, the Parties each seek to contribute to the implementation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding dated October 14, 2010 by and between the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and the Department of Energy of the United States on cooperation in the energy sector….”

It goes on to read:

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1     AIM OF MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

The Parties agree that the Partnership outlined in this Memorandum aims to leverage the expertise and knowledge of Party in order to:

1.1 Strengthen economic development of our regions and companies, enterd into this Memorandum

1.2 Maximize innovation in energy efficiency and development of Smart Grid

1.3 Qualitatively improve reliability of power supply

1.4 Engage customers in their electric grids management and influence behavior change *

(* This means customers are going to be caused to reduce their energy consumption one way or another – either through rate charge schemes or rationing of usage; the price of energy will rise.)

ARTICLE 2    AREAS OF COOPERATION

The Parties agree to, and acknowledge each other’s mutual interest in:

2.1 Cooperation in the following priority areas:

• 2.1.1 AMI Smart meters
• 2.1.2 Distribution Automation
• 2.1.3 Best practices in business processes
• 2.1.4 Communications for electric utility operations
• 2.1.5 Distribution control center, training center, and crew management
• 2.1.6 Creation of Smart Grid innovation cluster
• 2.1.7 Security and video surveillance (feeling good now?)
• 2.1.8 Streetlight management
• 2.1.9 Supportive government policies to promote Smart Grid (translation: using the coercive power of government to assure compliance)

2.2 Possible future cooperation or collaboration in:

• 2.2.1 Renewable Energy
• 2.2.2 Call Centers and Customer Care Centers (San Diego is going to cooperate with the government of Belgorod, with Russia for heavens sake, for Smart Grid call centers and customer care?  Will all the reps be named “Peggy”?)

And so on through 5 pages of items of cooperation and collaboration.

Article 5 contains miscellaneous provisions, including this stunner, “The Parties intend that their cooperation within the framework of the Memorandum shall be on the basis of mutual trust.”

Anyone remember SALT I and II?

The MOU is signed by the Governor of the Belgorod Region (Savchenko, E.S.), the General Director of IDGC of Centre (Gudzhoyan, D.O.), the Mayor of San Diego, California (Jerry Sanders), and the President and COO of San Diego Gas & Electric Company (Michael R. Niggli)

Wonder if the folks of San Diego know what their Mayor has agreed to?

Mayor Sanders email is JerrySanders@sandiego.gov and his phone number is 619-236-6330.

Might want to give him a call.