Smart Grid News

Smart Grid

The smart grid is a digital network that unites electrical providers, power-delivery systems and customers, and allows two-way communication between the utility and its customers. Smart grids have the potential to improve the efficiency of energy distribution and usage, both through the grid's design and through consumer participation. Though smart grids aren’t in widespread use yet in the United States, some U.S. utilities have begun smart grid pilot projects or have deployed smart meters in residential areas.

It is estimated that smart grid enhancements will ease congestion and increase utilization (of full capacity), sending 50% to 300% more electricity through existing energy corridors. Given population growth and the exponential increase in the number of power-hungry digital components in our digital economy, additional infrastructure must be built – Smart or not.

Source: The Smart Grid: An Introduction (via Energy.gov)

Text by Noel Kirkpatrick

(Photo: meneldur/Flickr)

Articles about Smart Grid

Nest Learning Thermostat taps into grid with regional utility partnerships

Mon, Apr 22 2013 at 6:30 PM

In an effort to alleviate the risk of summertime brownouts and help homeowners save precious cash, Nest Labs partners with a handful of utility companies for a pair of energy-saving services.
To cut L.A. traffic woes, city installs synchronized traffic lights

Wed, Apr 03 2013 at 2:48 PM

Los Angeles is aiming for a 20 percent improvement in its legendarily bad traffic with smart lights that work together. Other cities are doing this kind of thing, too, with dedicated busways, improved biking lanes and cellphone incentives for taking transit.
'Smart grid' goes live for the Pacific Northwest

Mon, Oct 29 2012 at 8:24 AM

A smart grid has been set up to serve most of the Pacific Northwest, in hopes that the communication between utility and customer will lead to better energy efficiency.
Smart grid company Telvent struck by Chinese hackers

Mon, Oct 01 2012 at 2:41 PM

While the hackers may have disrupted energy output, they did not gain access to any customer information.
Texas woman makes dumb choice to stop smart meter installation

Fri, Jul 20 2012 at 1:50 PM

Thelma Taormina isn't exactly keen on smart meters. So when a utility worker arrived at her Houston home to install one of the devices, she did what any totally rational homeowner would do: She grabbed her gun.
Smart meters help to eliminate electricity-related theft, violence in Brazil

Tue, Apr 03 2012 at 12:57 PM

In Latin American countries, particularly Brazil, the deployment of smart meters is helping curb instances of electricity theft and violence inflicted on utility company employees sent out to read analog meters.
Thomas Edison celebrates a big birthday

Sat, Feb 11 2012 at 10:04 AM

America's premier inventor may have died 80 years ago, but he refuses to fade away.
Want a smart grid? Maybe you can win one on 'The Price Is Right'

Thu, Feb 02 2012 at 1:20 PM

As California's new Advanced Clean Cars rules push electric vehicles one step closer to the mass market, could the smart grid be the sequel to 'California emissions'?
Energy awareness with just a push of a (green) button

Wed, Jan 25 2012 at 3:45 PM

Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra announces Green Button, an effort to make understanding (and adjusting) household energy consumption easier through a standardized online platform.
The energy-hungry house: Why and how energy use is so high today

Tue, Jan 24 2012 at 8:28 AM

The picture of U.S. energy usage has changed dramatically over the years. So where does all of that juice go?

MNN - Mother Nature Network

Smart Grid

Articles about Smart Grid

Nest Learning Thermostat taps into grid with regional utility partnerships

To cut L.A. traffic woes, city installs synchronized traffic lights

'Smart grid' goes live for the Pacific Northwest

Smart grid company Telvent struck by Chinese hackers

Texas woman makes dumb choice to stop smart meter installation

Smart meters help to eliminate electricity-related theft, violence in Brazil

Thomas Edison celebrates a big birthday

Want a smart grid? Maybe you can win one on 'The Price Is Right'

Energy awareness with just a push of a (green) button

The energy-hungry house: Why and how energy use is so high today

EDITOR'S PICKS

TODAY'S MOST POPULAR