A smart grid is a transactive grid.
- Lynne Kiesling
Author Archive

Demand Response: In Demand

Courtesy of Earth2Tech, a report that – despite a plethora of smart meter and home energy management companies getting the bulk of media attention when it comes to the rollout of the smart grid – demand-response firms are still going strong.  As the article notes: “…One of the largest demand-response providers in the country, CPower, […]

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Measuring Smart Meter Benefits: Utility vs. Consumer

Via Earth2Tech, some further thoughts on smart meters and – per this view – a perspective that most of the benefits of such instrumentation accrue at the utility vs. consumer level.  As the article notes: “Utilities and meter makers are quick to point out how smart meters can reduce consumers’ energy bills, but the motivation […]

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Smart Meters: A Dumb Idea?

From today’s Wall Street Journal, a contrary view on the efficacy of smart meters: Not everyone thinks smart meters are such a smart use of money. Utilities are spending billions of dollars outfitting homes and businesses with the devices, which wirelessly send information about electricity use to utility billing departments and could help consumers control […]

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Smart Grids For Water

While the focus of smart grids is most often upon electricity, similar concepts have been discussed for water.  The following two reports place an emphasis upon water.  First, as noted in this piece below from GreenTechMedia, some companies are starting to help build a smart grid for water: “…HydroPoint is hoping to change that and, […]

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Next Step for the Smart Grid: Winning Over Consumers

Courtesy of Earth2Tech, an interesting look at the importance of making smart grids relevant and “friendly” for consumers.  As the article notes: “The smart grid means many things to many people,” said Mark Farber, co-founder of Evergreen Solar and now a consultant with Photon Consulting, at the Ceres Conference in San Francisco, Calif., last week. […]

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Smart Grid Funding Guidelines

Courtesy of CleanTechies, a summary of the government’s announced plans to distribute more than $3.3 billion in smart grid technology development grants and an additional $615 million for smart grid storage, monitoring, and technology viability.  As the article notes: “…The announcement comes with mixed reviews, including warnings that the $20 million cap on grant awards […]

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About This Blog And Its Authors
Grid Unlocked is powered by two eco-preneurs who analyze and reference articles, reports, and interviews that can help unlock the nascent, complex and expanding linkages between smart meters, smart grids, and above all: smart markets.

Based on decades of experience and interest in conservation, Monty Simus believes that a truly “smart” grid must be a “transactive” grid, unshackled from its current status as a so-called “natural monopoly.”

In short, an unlocked grid must adopt and harness the power of markets to incentivize individual users, linked to each other on a large scale, who change consumptive behavior in creative ways that drive efficiency and bring equity to use of the planet's finite and increasingly scarce resources.