To Build a Smart Grid, Start With Smart Meters

The smart grid requires a major shift. For it to work, meters must collect information not once a month for billing, but every few minutes, a huge amount of data, so a utility can save energy by channeling only as much electricity as an area needs at a time. An industrial area might need large amounts of power in the day, but less at night. New smart meters also need two-way communication. Before they just sent billing information to the power company. Now a power company needs to send instructions back through the meter to home appliances, like a thermostat, that can be adjusted by a few degrees on a hot day to avoid a brownout. The idea is that if electricity is used more efficiently, fewer plants will have to be built, pollution will be reduced and people will save money. While everyone seems to know what they want the smart grid to do, few agree on how to do it. Each meter company wants to establish its design for the grid as part of the standard. The first recommendation will come from the National Institute of Standards and Technology next month. The standard will continue to evolve by a consensus of state and federal regulators.