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

Researchers predict 359,000 plug-in electric vehicles by 2017

Fri, Feb 11 2011 at 1:27 PM

A new forecast from Pike Research says California and New York will be the most popular states for PEV sales.
Solar goes Hyper in the U.S.

Wed, Feb 09 2011 at 3:08 PM

HyperSolar magnifying film can increase solar panel efficiency by up to 300%, making solar competitive with fossil fuels.
Smart grids get dumb reaction

Mon, Jan 31 2011 at 3:48 PM

The Tea Party and a few other groups don't like the idea of Big Brother monitoring their electricity usage.
Smart grid technology companies

Fri, Jan 14 2011 at 4:57 PM

We highlight several smart grid tech companies that have attracted attention in the last year.
Get yourself connected: GE at CES 2011

Tue, Jan 11 2011 at 9:00 AM

Showing off smart appliances, an EV charging station and a pint-sized home energy management system, GE gives attendees of the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show a glimpse of the 'Connected Home of the Future'.
Watch: Californians cause fuss over smart meters

Tue, Jan 04 2011 at 8:58 PM

Residents of California's West Marin County aren't too thrilled about the widespread installation of smart meters. So they decide to block a road — and get hauled away by a local sherrif — to prove their point.
DOE: $19 million for smart grid projects

Fri, Nov 19 2010 at 8:00 AM

The U.S. Department of Energy awards $19 million to five smart grid projects.
What is the 'smart grid'?

Tue, Oct 19 2010 at 11:57 AM

This digital innovation has great potential to improve the efficiency of energy distribution.
Japan looking to sell 'smart' cities to the world

Thu, Oct 07 2010 at 4:08 PM

Electronics show has displays for smart grids, not just gadgets and robots.
Two million smart meters installed

Wed, Sep 01 2010 at 12:29 PM

Recovery Act funding has allowed utility companies across the nation to install two million smart meters.

MNN - Mother Nature Network

Smart Grid

Articles about Smart Grid

Researchers predict 359,000 plug-in electric vehicles by 2017

Solar goes Hyper in the U.S.

Smart grids get dumb reaction

Smart grid technology companies

Get yourself connected: GE at CES 2011

Watch: Californians cause fuss over smart meters

DOE: $19 million for smart grid projects

What is the 'smart grid'?

Japan looking to sell 'smart' cities to the world

Two million smart meters installed

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