Consumers Getting Smarter About The Smart Grid

Survey finds growing awareness of smart grid programs but still low participation

David J. Unger, June 5, 2017 (Midwest Energy News)

“…[ Nearly three-fourths of] U.S. energy consumers are increasingly aware and broadly supportive of the smart grid, but relatively few of them participate in most smart-grid related programs and products…Seventy-two percent of respondents were familiar with smart meters in 2017, up from 52 percent in 2015...Slightly less — 70 percent — were familiar with the smart grid…[up from 47 percent in 2015, according to Consumer Pulse and Market Segmentation Study–Wave 6. Utilities across the country] are investing billions into grid modernization efforts and deploying smart meters, smart switches and various other ‘smart’ technologies across the power distribution network…Many view the power system as becoming more of a two-directional system, in which the line between production and consumption is blurred…This requires a shift in perception given that the power grid has, largely by design, operated inconspicuously without much thought from the average consumer…” click here for more

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