Let’s face it; renewable electricity, electric cars and automated metering have to make economic sense which they don’t right now. A lot of the smart grid hype is cost prohibitive and public utilities have a duty to operate within fiduciary and economic principles that serve their ratepayers. Unfortunately, the political reality is that utilities are being mandated to comply with these costly technologies. We must acknowledge that lobbyists are spending their time and succeeding at re-directing the flow of utility spending into these technologies ultimately driving up the cost of electricity with questionable environmental benefits.
What I do see in technology that makes sense is the increased automation of distribution circuits. It seems that the technology once only located inside of the substation has migrated out to the poles and vaults. The ability of a utility to isolate faults and restore load as never before offers the most bang for the buck for your smart grid dollars. Automated load break switches, vacuum interrupter switches, etcetera with protection that is coordinated with the protection from the substation increases reliability at a reasonable price with significant savings. Just think if you can eliminate circuit patrols to locate an underground fault.
A lot of the smart grid is marketing hype that will fade with other exaggerations such as the Enron debacle and deregulation which promised to reform the electric industry. What is needed now is good legislative lobbying on the side of utilities as well as common sense to get the most bangs for the buck from proven technology. I started my career as an apprentice Substation Electrician and am now the Senior Substation Designer so I have seen quite a few changes in my career and look forward to the challenges in the future
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