Nice article. However, as is common with all articles being written to date about the Smart Grid, it missed the key component that is required to have an immediate impact on Energy usage nationwide.
Specifically we are talking about the Home/Office/Factory Automation piece that will provide customers with tools that they can use to both monitor and CONTROL (Key) consumption of electricity both on premise and remotely.
Until we provide customers with these tools (Hardware and Software) for their Home Area Networks we will be spinning our wheels.
What is needed is a Partnership between the Utility and the local Services Providers (Broadband Wired or wireless services) that share the costs with the consumer-all 3 parties having an interest in reducing the usage and managing their costs.
Jim A
