USA enters Smart Grid- the future is here......

Energy prices are through the roof, so anything new that helps us all cut them is fine with me! It's good to see our country again introduce a new way to use modern technology! Karen

I really think the idea is great. On paper it sounds like a win win in many situations. However, I do wonder about the logistics. What if I do not have a load of laundry in the washer when they decide to run it. I am all for change and improvement to our current system. I am willing to learn new ways of living. I do however worry when things happen to quickly because then we are left with things that do not work because they are not properly thought through. I guess I am in for experimenting with it and trying to get the kinks out before the mass market is changed.

So...are you basically saying that once the grid is in the electric company will pretty much control when i do my laundry, dishes, take a shower, cook dinner etc???

I don't know it seems a little bit of an invasion I wouldn't want If I need to wash clothes I need to do it now not when rates are cheapest.

This is a very interesting news, where i live we have electronic meters that can be remotely read and used to check power failures and varying the contract remotely. They are also used to have different prices in different hours. The possibilty to automatically linking the features of some appliances to the electric grid status is great, peak-hours load could be really lowered saving lots of money to both the consumer and the electric utility. A better control of consumption is also possible with smart meters and this can help people to better understand the wastes of energy and to use it in a better way. Smart meters are also important to integrate in a better way domestic renewable plants. Do you know the specifics of the meters they will install?

It is hard to say about this and the cost of things these days, some people can only afford an old model of anything..I think the change can be good sometimes but lots of times it does not help those who cannot afford to buy the newer things in life. as far as electic I think they charge and do what they anyway regardless ..taxes and customer service charges are over half of my electric bills now..I think they raise rates every year and regardless of being in control is a little scary sometimes because before you know it they know everything about you even when you flush the tolet..oh yea they charge you for the meter and charge for reading the meter and now gas to come and read it...I am not so sure about this untill it is looked into further and then do they really hear what we say anyway??

It's working for us already. We don't have the washer and dryer set but apparently everything else is in place. Our monthly electricity bill is around $40 or so. Our house is a two-story, six bedroom, three bath house and we're doing good on this program. Maybe we're the test community. For all our success we got 4lbs of Sees chocolates. LOL. yummmm. Do we like it? Yeah, so far.

Cool, I couldn't say right now, the idea is good but if it works as you mentioned or as I understood, let's say some appliances will work controlled by the energy company, will this mean that they will command when or at what time can I dry my socks or something like that? I bet the concept it's a little more accurate than what I understood, just kidding about the socks also.

I'm all for saving energy and reducing my costs but I am not interested in having someone else controlling my appliances! But I live in Canada so this really doesn't apply to me anyway. My dishwasher and washing machine do have timers though, so I could set them to start at the most cost efficient time if it did apply. Our company has a tiered system for electricity consumption. If you go past a certain amount it will start to cost you more. Our bill has never made it past the first tier so we've always paid the lowest rate.

Hi td, well it won't be coming here that's for sure, the electric company can't even manage the supply they've already got properly without trying to be clever and adding new features. You've no idea at all have you how difficult it is to get an electric meter installed in the first place.

Hi gringo! I opted last year for a new device to measure how much electricity I use and at what time. I have to start my appliances at the low cost hour myself. I usually do it. With the dishwasher is easy but sometimes I´m in a hurry to wash clothes. My electricity bill went down and I´m very happy.I don´t mind starting the appliances when the rest of the world is asleep because at that time I´m here at mylot. As for the clothes dryer, I haven´t used it in years. I don´t even know if it still works. I sun dry my clothes in summer and dry them in my bathroom in hanger in winter. Usually the next day they are dry or almost. My house has no central heating or AC but I don´t need it. Our climate is mild. I don´t use my iron either: now with manmade fibers I don´t think it´s worth it. I hope countries and companies do something about saving. Many of the things we use in excess will not be here for the next generation. Take care!

I guess I would have to do more investigation to figure out whether or not I would do it, but my initial response is "no". I want my things to run when I want them to not when the electric company wants them to. I am all for saving money, but I don't think this would be for me. I am a stay-at-home mom, and I run things when it is convenient for me and when it fits into my schedule. On the other hand, if I was working outside the house and could set up the washer in the morning and have it run during the day when I wasn't home, then I don't think that I would have as much issue with it. I guess it depends on scheduling and how much control we are allowed to have versus how much control the electric company has.

Sir i would take that if it was offered here in my country. Philippines