Smart Grids

Description

"distributed power plants, channeling energy from hundreds of thousands, even millions of individual rooftops (think micro-wind and solar PV) into common use and minimizing transmission losses. In essence - your home or building generates clean power and sells the surplus to the grid at peak prices for you during the day– it buys any excess energy you need during the evening when prices are low." (http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/007929.html)

Example

"Smart Grid City could feature a number of infrastructure upgrades and customer offerings – for the first time fully integrated through the partnership’s efforts in Boulder – including:

· Transformation of existing metering infrastructure to a robust, dynamic electric system communications network, providing real-time, high-speed, two-way communication throughout the distribution grid;

· Conversion of substations to “smart” substations capable of remote monitoring, near real-time data and optimized performance;

· At the customer’s invitation, installation of programmable in-home control devices and the necessary systems to fully automate home energy use; and

· Integration of infrastructure to support easily dispatched distributed generation technologies (such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with vehicle-to-grid technology; battery systems; wind turbines; and solar panels)." (http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/0,3080,1-1-1_15531_46991-45401-0_0_0-0,00.html)