Is a ‘Smart Grid’ a good idea?  While some people wonder about benefits of this new technology, most of us just want to know what they are talking about.  Simply put, the Smart Grid is a power system that is more computer controlled. The Smart Grid connects computerized appliances, computerized meters, power generation and transmission networks together to optimize the production and use of electricity. This Smart Grid would allow the power companies to see where the use is highest, to increase rates or use interrupting services to manage demand.  In fact it would allow power companies to alow the pricing of power according to demand and discounting use in order to reduce the need to build reserve capacity.

Imagine a USA with only rechargeable cars, every family needing to recharge a couple of cars everyday.  Well during hot summer days we already seen demand outstripping supply in California a few days every  summer.  Government research labs say that off-peak generation capacity can power 73% of the vehicles in a world of electric cars.  When you put this all together it means the smart grid would let you plug in the car when you come home and let the smart meter decide when to charge it based on how much you are willing to pay. Your washer and dryer can wait to run at offpeak times to get the lowest rate. Plus this opens up the idea of ’whole home”  back up battery technology that would allow us to store up power during off peak hours to reduce the need to buy power off the grid during peak times. But the smart grid goes beyond that, it allows the electrical companies to sell more electricity with fewer plants by optimizing supply and demand.  Fewer power plants being built saves the industry billions of dollars. that’s money that can be spent on newer, greener power generating technology. 

So let’s teach our grid some new tricks, it’s conservation, optimization via automation.