In the last few years, much of the focus on the Smart Grid has been on customer premise equipment (CPE) such as Smart Appliances, Smart Meters, Smart Thermostats that provide real time alerts and pricing to consumers. Utilities all over the USA have been offering rebates on this equipment, which is well cataloged at www.DsireUsa.org….
Category: Electricity
What is the Smart Grid?
You may have heard a lot of buzz recently about the Smart Grid. But what exactly is this “grid”? Is it “dumb” now and growing “smarter”? (Short answer: yes.) And if so, should we be concerned that The Grid will become too smart for humanity’s own good at some point and try to take control…
“If they won’t, I will”
During the annual State of the Union Address on February 12, President Obama made it clear that the time has come to get serious on energy and the environment. In essence, he advised Congress: speak now or forever hold your peace. The President put them on notice that he won’t be shy about using his…
Threat of fiscal cliff spurred new wind energy installations
Wind power has been subsidized by the federal government for 20 years, with several expirations and renewals occurring along the way. The most recent expiration was scheduled to occur December 2012 along with many other federal programs bundled into the fiscal cliff. Many expected the wind subsidy to be renewed (and it was on January…