CONSUMERS NEED TO BE SMARTER ABOUT SMART GRID

Food For Thought About Consumers And The Smart Grid

18 June 2012 (Renew Grid)

“Although many consumers are not aware of smart grid technology, they do embrace it once they receive more information about it, according to [2012 State of the Consumer Report] from the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC)… People who had heard the term associated the smart grid with the development of new technologies to improve reliability, efficiency, billing accuracy and energy management.

“Interestingly, no one brought up concerns about privacy, health issues or higher bills. Most respondents said that they would like to see their own electric utilities take a leadership role in implementing smart grid/meter improvements…[With] additional background, participants generally described their overall feelings toward the new technologies as favorable or very favorable…”

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“Key positive perceptions varied from person to person and segment to segment, and included improved reliability and outage response, environmental benefits, accuracy of billing, and opportunities for customers to save money by using information for energy management and/or participating in dynamic pricing programs, according to the survey.

“Willingness to pay for smart grid benefits varied, but consumers believe the most attractive smart grid benefits are improved reliability and restoration, increased access to renewable energy, availability of better usage information and new pricing options, and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions…”

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