by Angela Guess
The Obama administration has revealed a policy framework for enabling a smart power grid or ‘smart grid’ that will foster consumer empowerment, reduce energy consumption, and guard against cyber threats: “The 108-page report—‘A Policy Framework for the 21st Century Grid: Enabling Our Secure Energy Future’–outlines in detail four aspects of smart-grid policy based on a foundation set up in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The subcommittee on Smart Grid of the National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Technology prepared the report.”
The article continues, “Securing the U.S. power grid is one of four pillars the policy framework is based upon; the others are to enable cost-effective smart grid investments, unlock the potential for innovation in the electric sector, and empower consumers to make informed decisions, according to the report. Enabling the U.S. energy industry to bring the nation’s power grid into the digital age is one of the Obama administration’s key technology goals. The White House in late 2009 unveiled $3.4 billion in grants to the industry as part of a stimulus package to develop and implement technologies such as smart meters, digital transformers, and automated power monitoring and management systems.”
It goes on, “Data management and security are key facets of the framework’s pillar to empower consumers to make informed decisions about their power needs and consumption. The report proposes policy around data standards and requirements to make secure energy-consumption data available online to all customers as a better way to allow them to manage their own data. To facilitate both data management and security, the White House also is suggesting policy allowing customers to permit third-party access to their data. This will facilitate single sign-on to websites that will allow them to view their energy-usage data alongside other information, according to the report.”
photo credit: weegeebored
