The “Smart Grid” has caught the attention of political, business, and community leaders from the White House to Northwest communities and electric utilities. And for good reason.
Its champions tell us the Smart Grid will allow us to use many of the same technologies, concepts, and models behind the internet to transform our electric grid from a centralized network largely controlled by utilities to one that is less centralized and more customer-driven. They say the Smart Grid will allow us to generate electricity more efficiently which will delay the need for building new power plants. It will also help us reduce our collective environmental footprint by integrating greener energy options such as wind, solar, and the power stored in the batteries of our electric and hybrid vehicles. The Smart Grid’s full potential will be achieved when combined with a model that enables consumers to actively manage their energy consumption and sell surplus power back to the grid.
However, the Smart Grid also has its share of critics who argue that it is more hype than hope. They are concerned that the “razzle-dazzle” associated with the Smart Grid will tempt us to ignore other strategies they believe would be more practical solutions to make our communities more sustainable.
With generous support from Portland General Electric and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation’s sustainability matching grant, Portland State University has launched a two-term seminar to explore whether the Smart Grid will help Northwest utilities and communities become more sustainable. The seminar brought together graduate students from many academic disciplines; it attracted senior professionals from federal, state, regional and local governments, the Bonneville Power Administration, a national energy laboratory, investor-owned and consumer-owned electric utilities, regulatory commissions and consumer advocacy organizations, high tech and IT firms, energy efficiency and renewable resource consulting companies, and more. Guest presenters in the class were many of the nation’s and region’s top experts on the Smart Grid and sustainable development.
As we explore the Smart Grid’s opportunities and challenges, we focus on four questions:
- Is investing in the Smart Grid a viable strategy for utilities and communities in Oregon, Washington? Does it remain viable for the Pacific Northwest as a whole?
- How can the Smart Grid encourage more sustainable approaches to energy generation, transmission, and consumption, support the “greening” of other community infrastructures, and enhance the prospects of sustainable development in Northwest communities?
- What critical information is missing that will help Northwest communities and utilities decide if and how to proceed with investing in the Smart Grid?
- What are the next steps for Northwest utilities and communities?
We are excited to share our findings and discuss them in an interactive setting with government, community, business leaders, and interested citizens. There is no charge for attending, but you must register in advance. Please join us by Registering Now.