They are not the same, but smart meters were an important and necessary first step towards a smart grid. They helped utilities become more comfortable with communications technologies and electronic data management. More importantly, they also helped change the relationship between customers and electric utilities, by making customers more aware of their energy use. Once you know that the cost of your electricity changes depending on the time of use, and once you can visualize and track your electricity use on an hourly basis, you will want more ability to control your energy use and manage your costs. The second generation of smart grid customer products will build on smart meters.
This is what a future smart grid could look like. Spot the difference?
This is what our grid looks like now.
There is no universal definition, but the key idea behind a “smart grid” is using information and communications technology to make all parts of the electricity system – generation, transmission & distribution, and end use – work better. This includes using technology to reduce the environmental impact of energy use, which is obviously one of the key benefits from our perspective!
Good afternoon! Thanks for joining me today to discuss the smart grid in Ontario.
They are not the same, but smart meters were an important and necessary first step towards a smart grid. They helped utilities become more comfortable with communications technologies and electronic data management. More importantly, they also helped change the relationship between customers and electric utilities, by making customers more aware of their energy use. Once you know that the cost of your electricity changes depending on the time of use, and once you can visualize and track your electricity use on an hourly basis, you will want more ability to control your energy use and manage your costs. The second generation of smart grid customer products will build on smart meters.
