Everyone is into intelligent technology and smart devices nowadays. That is why it only seems natural that industries and homeowners turn to smart devices for saving energy and going green.
The power grid is the world’s biggest machine. It is composed of a network of power plants, transmission towers, poles and wires. A recent report called The Smart Grid: An Estimation of the Energy and CO2 Benefits, from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory stresses how an efficient smart grid can be used as a powerful tool against climate change. Research scientist Rob Pratt said that they wanted to show the added contribution of the smart grid meter to the nation’s goal of mitigating climate change through the reduction of carbon footprint from electric power systems.
Smart grid meters may be used to cut down waste. The United States Energy Information Administration said that more than half of the energy generated is wasted in generation and transmission. Energy is wasted usually through unused but running lights and electronic appliances. According to the Department of Energy, the waste in energy results in $4 billion in expenses in the United States every year.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reported that there are nine ways smart grids can reduce carbon emissions, including smart-grid enabled diagnostics in residential and commercial buildings, use of demand-response systems, voltage regulation and control systems, and positive responses from informed consumers; which are expected to result in a 12 percent emission reduction by 2030 if fully implemented.
Another reason why smart grid programs can help battle climate change is because smart grid standards lessen operational costs for renewable program deployment. Savings from the program can be invested to more emission reduction projects for the future.
According to Mr. Pratt, getting savings for use in future clean energy projects is important because many states have an electricity sector renewable portfolio goal of 20 to 30 percent for 2030.
Full implementation of smart grid technologies in the United States could inhibit at least 442 million metric tons of carbon emission, equivalent 66 coal power plants. Just last November, the U.S. Department of Energy supported the city of Sacramento with a $127.5 million smart grid stimulus funding, to aid in pushing forward California’s green building initiative. The smart grid stimulus federal grant program aims to design, run, and manage an urban smart grid utility system for clients of various types and volume.
Many countries are starting to see the benefits of smart grid programs and starting to invest in various brands and types of smart grid meters, including the GE smart grid. China is not one to get left behind in the smart grid bandwagon, as it overtakes the United States in the smart grid investment. This year, China plans a $7.32 billion smart grid investment, which is more than U.S.’ $7.09 billion, as reported by ZPryme. China is increasing their investment in smart grids heavily because of the looming energy requirement in the country which is predicted to double over the following decade.
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