Build a nation-wide smart grid
Embed intelligence throughout a nation-wide electrical grid, on both sides of the meter to enhance the efficiency of distribution and use. This will (A) accelerate the penetration of sources like solar & wind that are diurnal or intermittent; (B) take advantage of smart meters and distributed storage as plug-in cars become available; (C) permit power to be wheeled from where resources are rich to where electricity is needed; (D) provide tens of thousands of jobs and train workers to replace the baby boomers who will retire from utilities over the next 5-10 years. Start with the government-owned Bonneville Power Administration in the Northwest, learn what works, and extend the network across the country.
anonymous
shared this idea
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gloverette
commented
This is so important to every community. Old grid systems make it hard to integrate access for everyone. Please make this a priority!
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wware
commented
RobinC wrote "encourage development of an open source mesh". Cool idea. Create an abstraction layer that differentiates real versus simulated meshes. Developers should be able to run a simulated mesh locally on a laptop, or participate in a shared simulated mesh. The real mesh will require security measures but the simulated mesh won't.
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ExPC
commented
Need to make sure that the grid expansion does not become just another subsidy for dirty energies!
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HeckRuler
commented
revosteevo, did you just say our power-grids are reliable? And you want to squeeze some more efficiency out of them? Good lord, no.
"Smart" is a buzzword, but those are some good goals.
We need to improve our electrical infrastructure (both transmission and distribution) to support alternative energy, as well as a matter of national security.
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revosteevo
commented
also, tax carbon emissions
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revosteevo
commented
The national electric grid(s) are remarkably reliable, given their ad-hoc architecture, but there is massive room for efficiency improvements. Support changes to local power provider rate schedules that link utility profits to aggregate demand reduction. Give regional RTOs, and the govt owned BPA and TVA, more tariff flexibility, but grade them on avg wholesale energy and transmission costs.
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spiritusmundi
commented
I don't believe in anthropogenic global warming. I fear this could be used as a new tax in the form of mandatory carbon-offset fees based on the amount of energy used. Consider this carefully before voting for this.
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chance slade
commented
Not only do we need a smart grid but it should not charge any fees for the transmission of renewable energy. Transmission costs as well as transmission availability are major impediments to development of renewable energy.
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citizenkahn
commented
The electonet will be an essential part of solving our energy dependence. It will allow for community approaches, economic incentives for small scale green projects and better control over energy loss.
see: http://www.jockgill.com/ -
kenny
commented
I cannot agree more. This is the most important aspect of moving towards energy independence and transition to new sources.
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RobinC
commented
Do this with open standards, open devices, and open networks (per my suggestion above), and do so my all time favorite: encourage development of an open source mesh so that all these devices can mesh and create a local p2p infrastructure of wireless databits and this takes my top vote.