Creating a Smarter U.S. Electricity Grid
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 26,
no. 1, Winter 2012
(pp. 29-48)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
This paper focuses on efforts to build what policymakers call the "smart grid," involving 1) improved remote monitoring and automatic and remote control of facilities in high-voltage electricity transmission networks; 2) improved remote monitoring, two-way communications, and automatic and remote control of local distribution networks; and 3) installation of "smart" metering and associated communications capabilities on customer premises so that customers can receive real-time price information and/or take advantage of opportunities to contract with their retail supplier to manage the consumer's electricity demands remotely in response to wholesale prices and network congestion. I examine the opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties associated with investments in "smart grid" technologies. I discuss some basic electricity supply and demand, pricing, and physical network attributes that are critical for understanding the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding deployment of smart grid technologies. Then I cover issues associated with the deployment of these technologies at the high voltage transmission, local distribution, and end-use metering levels.Citation
Joskow, Paul L. 2012. "Creating a Smarter U.S. Electricity Grid." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 26 (1): 29-48. DOI: 10.1257/jep.26.1.29JEL Classification
- L94 Electric Utilities
- L98 Industry Studies: Utilities and Transportation: Government Policy
- Q41 Energy: Demand and Supply
- Q48 Energy: Government Policy
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