■ Add extra insulation and seal air leaks. Improving attic insulation and
sealing air leaks can save 10% or more on annual energy bills.Smart Grids
A smart grid is a modernized electrical grid that uses digital information and
communications technology to gather and act on information, such as
information about the behaviors of suppliers and consumers, in an automated
fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the
production and distribution of electricity. Control of the production and
distribution of electricity are important aspects of the smart grid. Support for the
smart grid in the United States became federal policy with the passage of the
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
PROS
■ Adoption of digital “smart meters,” which convey information on energy
use to the supplier. They allow customers to track their energy use online,
alerting customers when their energy use is going beyond certain price
thresholds.
■ Allow the electrical grid to meet higher demands for electricity.
■ Decrease the chances for brownouts and blackouts.
■ Facilitate real-time troubleshooting of problems.
■ Facilitate broad-scale electric vehicle charging.
■ Make renewable power feasible. Smart grid systems are needed to
strategically manage the diverse and geographically scattered renewable
power sources like wind farms, solar plants, and hydroelectric stations.CONS
■ Consumer concerns over privacy (e.g., the use of usage data by law
enforcement).
■ Concerns that the complex rate systems (e.g., variable rates) remove
clarity and accountability, allowing the supplier to take advantage of the
customer.
■ Concerns about the remotely controllable “kill switch” that is