Terms get bandied about often in the world of sustainability, but there aren’t always firm definitions in a young field. That’s a risk, because without definitions, standards are impossible. And without standards, a new industry will never take off.
In that regard, check out the post What is the definition of a ‘Smart Grid’? Leonardo ENERGY digs into the issue and shows how complex it is, ranging from automatic meter readings to the design of the grid.
Everyone seems to be backing a smart grid. A recent report found that “utilities and governments worldwide spent more than $12 billion modernizing their electrical grids in 2008, and projects that number to soar to $33 billion in the next five years.”
But here’s the thing: the study also notes that the “lack of standards are currently a serious obstacle to Smart Grid development.” And that in turn comes back to the need for definitions.