Commenting on the FCC’s (News - Alert) National Broadband Plan, GE officials said the company applauds the commission’s willingness to investigate all alternatives, including a dedicated communications spectrum for smart grid applications.

In the National Broadband Plan, FCC has recognized the need for improving the communications infrastructure to modernize the electric grid.

Bob Gilligan, vice president -- digital energy for GE Energy Services, thinks that a potent, clearly defined reliable and integrated infrastructure will enable the promise of the smart grid to become reality.

Smart grid paves the way to smart electric vehicles, consumer-controlled energy management and conservation tools, more reliable grid performance and cleaner, domestic energy from renewable resources.

The FCC Plan focuses on creating a dynamic broadband model to benefit everyone.

Gilligan added, “We are delighted the FCC understands the value of allowing many different options to build this infrastructure. We believe open options will spur innovation and enable deployment of the best solution for each communications challenge, optimizing smart grid benefits for consumers and utilities alike.”

The FCC also is demonstrating an open and honest view of what needs to be explored as the plan moves forward, GE said. The company appreciated commission’s willingness to investigate all alternatives, including a dedicated communications spectrum for smart grid applications.

“GE encourages the FCC to further explore the option of a dedicated smart grid spectrum as a powerful enabling tool for dramatically improving the efficiency, reliability and security of a new smart grid reality with an ever-shrinking carbon footprint,” Gilligan added.

Smart grid technology from GE is changing the ways utilities, governments, businesses and consumers across the world interact with energy. The company is actively involved in industry partnerships to facilitate greater adoption of GE’s smart technologies by utilities in several developing and developed countries.

In February, GE announced it is entering Japan’s growing market for next-generation power distribution systems by developing and producing network-capable power meters along with Fuji Electric Holdings, TMCnet reported.

A few weeks before, GE announced its smart grid plans in China saying it is building an extensive smart grid demonstration center in the Yangzhou New Economy and Development Zone in China.