Not Your Average Energy Grid

The race for efficiency has made everything in life more convenient from ordering pepperoni pizzas to reviewing medical scans. One of these innovations has become to be known as “Smart Grid”.  An odd concept to grasp is to think about the amount of electricity that pulsates through our nation between plants, houses, businesses, street lights, stop lights, computers, phones, televisions, sky scrapers, stadiums, airports, train stations, marinas, etc. The list could go on forever. Since Edison himself, electricity has been measured through workers checking meters and equipment.  In an age where I can turn off my kitchen lights or close my blinds with a phone, it seems outdated.  This is where Smart Grid comes in.

Smart Grid is a two way communication system between the device receiving the electricity and the centers monitoring that transfer of electricity. These data centers can be used to adjust electric output accordingly whether it be for a few consuming objects or a few thousand. This will become increasingly important as our country (with EPA fingers crossed) moves towards wind and solar power.  Luckily, the idea of Smart Grid became a reality in December 2007 it gained legislative support through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.  This new system will have many benefits moving forward that will provide the American people with a safer and more efficient energy network.

Sources:

http://energy.gov/oe/technology-development/smart-grid

http://www.smartgrid.gov/

http://ge.ecomagination.com/smartgrid/#/landing_page