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Use of "smart grid" technology could save U.S. $120 billion, study says

Posted at 6:21 AM on 10 Jan 2008

A yearlong study by the Department of Energy has concluded that when consumers are given the means to closely track and adjust their energy usage, power use declines by an average of 10 percent. In addition, the study found that households' electricity usage during peak times fell by up to 15 percent. The study estimated that "smart grid" technology, if used nationwide, could save some $120 billion in unneeded power plants and transmission lines, and over a 20-year period could displace the equivalent of 30 large coal-fired power plants. "This research is vital because decreasing power consumption during the busiest times on the power grid improves efficiency and reliability and reduces the need to build additional infrastructure," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).

sources: Reuters, The New York Times

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Comments: (5 comments)

You are not logged in. Thus, you cannot post a comment. If you have a Gristmill account, log in below. If you don't have a Gristmill account, well, by all means go make one! Meet you back here in five.

when can we have it?

From what I have heard from Prius owners, the same thing happens to them because apparently there is a fuel meter that gives fuel usage to the driver.

The last paragraph from the times article was disheartening, it said it was great to prove the concept, but don't see it anytime soon. What do we do so we can see it soon?

by trock at 8:00 AM on 10 Jan 2008

Great post

I added a few comments at my blog, where I've been following this concept:
http://invisiblegreenhand.blogspot.com/2008/01/gridwise-s ...

by caisteger at 10:27 AM on 10 Jan 2008

Tinkering Around The Edges

This will do little or nothing to solve the environmental problems caused by gluttonous energy consumption and overpopulation. And power grids of any kind are not the answer. We need to lower both our energy consumption and population, AND make all homes and businesses energy self sufficient with solar panels and wind generators. No one should be allowed to consume more than they can produce from these sources, located at their places of work or at home.

by Wolverine at 12:49 PM on 10 Jan 2008

Reformed Republican

Right, Wolverine. And no one should be allowed to eat more food than they grow. They should also not be able to watch more movies than they make. If they are not producing it, they should not consume it!

by Reformed Republican at 1:34 PM on 11 Jan 2008

Food Is Electricity?

Sorry, Reformed Republican, but food is totally natural (at least as it grows). Electricity, aside from lightning, is artificially created by humans and is not a necessity for life, but a luxury. The problem is that it was around when we were all born, and in typical American lack of historical perspective, Americans don't realize that it's only been around for about 100 years and can't imagine life without infinite amounts of it. Would you allow me to construct a power grid through your home so I can watch movies? That's what you propose doing to the rest of the planet's species.

Power grids don't cut through already ecologically denuded cities, they destroy natural areas. Is your priority watching movies or protecting the natural environment?

by Wolverine at 7:35 PM on 11 Jan 2008

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