Smart grid a ‘fundamental change’ in how we work, PG&E says

Pacific Gas and Electric Company says its newly released smart-grid deployment plan isn’t just a roadmap for modernizing the energy grid but represents “a fundamental change to the way PG&E uses technology to serve its customers and operate its business.”

The 290-page document sets out plans to add or improve a wide range of customer programs, including:

• Smart-meter-enabled web tools, alerts and reports to help people better understand and manage their home energy consumption;
• Demand-response incentives for reducing or shifting energy use during times of peak demand;
• Support for more customer-owned solar-power installations;
• Developing plans and technologies for an electric-car charging network;
• An energy and carbon management system for commercial and industrial customers;
• SmartAC thermostats that can automatically reduce air-conditioning-related energy loads to prevent blackouts or brownouts;
• Incentives for communities to replace street lights with more energy-efficient LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

“The smart grid is an evolving goal that will require careful planning, piloting, phased implementation and customer engagement to realize its tremendous potential value,” said Christopher P. Johns, president of PG&E.