Tethering America's electrical grid to the Internet was a boon for consumers. However, a Congressional hearing revealed that foreign agents could easily hack into energy grids nationwide.
Most cars--even electric ones-- sit unused most of the day. What if the power in their batteries could be fed back into the grid so that power companies didn't have to make more power. It's coming, and there's incentive: The power company is going to pay you for it.
Your next home may be more rammed with servos, sensors, and wireless than the average android. Bonus: As well as being more sci-fi, it will save you energy and money. The home automation field is about to explode.
If everyone buys electricity when it's cheapest, could that cause blackouts in the same way as when everyone turns on their AC on hot days? The smart grid will have to be smart enough to overcome the desire to use it.
There was one recent positive survey, but test after test has found that people aren't so psyched when smart meters arrive in their home. They may not have a choice.
Solar panels give you clean energy, yes, but it turns out that's not all. Just by putting them on the roof, you'll start saving cash on your cooling and heating bills.
Despite buzz-generating green-energy efforts, South Korea remains a relatively high carbon polluter. The new smartgrid commitment shows it is getting serious about cleaning up its act--the country is aiming to harness 11% of its energy from renewable sources.
The home energy market is going to be more utilitarian than chic, if Tendril's recent decision to nix its IDEO-designed home energy dashboard is anything to go by.
