posted by System Administrator on 11/07/06

"A new five year international cooperation and collaboration program, supported by the IEA, has been launched to help countries across the world develop more energy-efficient and resilient electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) networks. The IEA Implementing Agreement called ENARD (Electricity Networks Analysis, Research and Development) is focusing on developing and sharing new technologies and best practice, to help tackle challenges including climate change, the growth of renewable power generation, replacing the ageing network asset base and rapid shifts in global patterns of energy supply and demand.

Eight IEA member countries have already signed up to the Agreement with still more countries considering joining, including non IEA member nations. John Baker of EA Technology, which has been appointed the ENARD Annex I Operating Agent, explained, “The ENARD mission is to create a high level international forum for exchanging information, research and analysis, and undertaking collaborative R&D on a wide range of T&D network issues, Eatechnology.com reported. “Our vision is to help operators and governments across the world improve the performance of their T&D networks, with new technologies, architectures, methodologies and operating procedures.

“The results will include enhanced energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, lower costs and greater reliability and availability of electricity to end users. This is very much in line with the request from the 2005 G8 Gleneagles Summit for the IEA to develop strategies for a clean, secure and sustainable energy future.

“Above all, ENARD will act as an unbiased and authoritative international source of information, expertise and advice for governments, policy makers and industry stakeholders.“

Excerpted from Iran Daily article Energy Efficiency Saturday, November 4, 2006