The smart grid is an enormous worldwide effort to modernize our electrical grid. The global scale alone makes this a colossal task. Complicating this effort is the incredible variety of electrical systems throughout the world, and the vast maze of utilities managing them. Just in the US alone, there are more than 3,000 separate utilities, local governments, and private companies operating America’s electrical grid. New In-Stat (www.in-stat) research forecasts that by 2016, over 75% of all US electric meters will be converted to smart meters.
“Over the next five years, and for decades thereafter, the world will be deploying the smart grid,” says Allen Nogee, Research Director. “Initially, most of this will be smart meters, but once those are out, client devices, software, and home automation equipment may all benefit as consumers and utilities make use of the information that smart meters provide. While utilities will be big beneficiaries from the smart grid movement, consumers will benefit as well, with more choices in rate plans and a much better understanding of the link between their electricity usage and their costs.”
Source: In-Stat