Smart meter

The age of the smart grid is dawning, with millions of smart meters already installed across the country. But some utilities have encountered opposition to smart-meter pilot programs, and the question of how to communicate benefits to consumers complicates the picture.
 

Dozens of alternative energy suppliers have been attracted to Texas’ competitive electricity market, and the competition between suppliers is creating significant economic benefits for consumers. As market participants compete against each other to provide the best possible service at the lowest cost in order to attract and retain customers, market forces are driving consumer costs down while increasing choice and service offerings, and stimulating innovative technologies.
 

Smart meter technology, considered a lynchpin to widespread smart grid success, has taken a major step forward with the conclusion of a Washington, D.C. pilot program. PowerCentsDC, a two-year program, tested how consumers reacted to a variety of time-of-use price signal and rate programs.
 

Competitive electricity markets are helping lead the nation toward a smart grid future. So says a new report from GTM Research, which ranks the top 10 states leading smart grid implementation. Seven of the 10 states participate in competitive electricity markets. California ranks first, followed in the rankings by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
 
These state rankings result from a mix of effective regulatory oversight and private investment, but all deliver economic and environmental benefits to consumers. “These 10 states are the laboratories for U.S. smart grid policy, and their influence on the pace and scope of deployment is durable and growing,” said Stephen Munro, energy policy analyst for GTM Research.
 

Smart meters combined with enhanced information from utilities could significantly reduce electricity consumption and costs, according to a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
 

During last week’s regular open meeting, staff with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission presented their 2009 State of the Markets Report, and the outcome for energy consumers was profound.  Prices for natural gas were down by 50 percent across the country, and as a result electricity rates declined proportionately in the organized competitive markets, where gas is a key generation fuel. Costs for both natural gas and electricity were at the lowest levels seen since at least 2002 – even earlier in some regions, FERC staff reported.