Can We Achieve a "Smart Home" Future?
The concept of the smart grid continues to mystify both utilities and consumers alike. Is it cost-effective? What is the best method for deployment? Is the public ready for it? Do we actually need it?KDDI KLATENCOR KONINKLIJKE KPN LAM RESEARCH LIBERTY GLOBAL LM ERICSSON
As a nation, we are spending way too much energy arguing about energy. With all the energy-related debates going on today about everything from environmental regulations to the role of government subsidies, it is time to step back and remember that all of us in the energy space share many of the same long-term objectives. We ultimately want to develop new technologies, cleaner energy and a more robust grid while using energy more efficiently. If we can join together and focus our energy on supporting a balanced national energy policy, we can achieve the goal of a cleaner, more secure energy future.
Listening to a recent roundtable discussion among American utility executives, I was surprised to learn that most of them factor in the price of carbon when accounting for future energy costs. I thought that boat had passed in 2009 when the Cap and Trade bill was introduced in the House and then abandoned in favor of health care reform.