This white paper looks at the way electricity is produced in the United States today and the vision for a “Smart Grid” in the future. The paper also discusses specific ways that small and medium-sized industrial and commercial businesses can manage electrical usage and costs today, without waiting for Smart Grid technology.

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Because there are so many stakeholders who each want to see their concerns mentioned, a standard definition of the Smart Grid has proved elusive. You’ll find varying definitions—and a lot of varying timetables to get there. But in essence the Smart Grid vision is for a reworked infrastructure that embeds digital intelligence into the entire process of producing, distributing, pricing, and consuming electricity. What does that mean in practice?

• Everything on the grid, from power plants to individual appliances, can be seen and controlled in real time—most of it automatically.
• Energy prices reflect what it costs to produce electricity in real time.
• All methods of generation and storage can be incorporated into the grid.
• The system is secure, efficient, and environmentally sound.

White paper here.