First, there’s the grid – and then, there’s the “smart grid”. What are these, and what is the significance of the “smart grid”? I will explain the grid and the “smart grid” below, and then talk about some pros and cons of the smart grid.
What is the Grid and the “Smart Grid”?
In order to understand the “smart grid”, it is first necessary to understand what the grid is. The term “the grid” refers to the electrical system in the United States. This is the network of transmission lines, substations, transformers and other components that stretch across the United States to deliver electricity locally. The grid was started in the 1890s, so parts of it are very old. Even so, today, there are more than 9,200 electric generating units involved, with more than 1 million megawatts of generating capacity. The network is connected with over 300,000 miles of transmission lines.
The “smart grid” refers to an upgrade of the existing grid, where it is made smart the way a smart phone is smart. This involves adding sensors that can transmit information from the grid digitally back to humans, who can use the information to improve energy usage and efficiency. It can cause a two-way communication between the utility and the customer. Examples of potential uses of smart technology in the grid include improving security, reducing peak demand, and quicker restoration of electricity after an outage.
Advantages of the Smart Grid
Even though the federal government supports the smart grid, not all states have adopted it. However, California is ahead, and already has smart technology in place. California residents who use Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) have smart technology advantages. They can log in online and look at visualizations of their electrical usage. They can also program alerts to come by e-mail or text if they are using high amounts of energy.
Disadvantages of the Smart Grid
California may sound like the perfect place for smart technology, but it does have its disadvantages. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, smart meters were installed in some houses, but residents are questioning whether they are working properly. They complained that their utility bills soared after the meters were installed. Therefore, they had to halt the program until they could finish the investigation into why this was happening.
Even though smart technology sounds like a good idea, we are just at the beginning, and it looks like we have a long way to go!