"Smart grid" saves $120 bln in power use in U.S.

BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- American consumers and information technology can play an active role in managing the grid, which can help them reduce electricity use and save 120 billion U.S. dollars on spending for new power plants and transmission lines, U.S. media reported on Thursday.

A year-long "smart grid" study showed consumers saved 10 percent on power bills and cut power use 15 percent during key peak hours, the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory announced.

The small-scale GridWise Demonstration Project involved 112 homeowners on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Ron Ambrosio of IBM, which participated in the study, said nationwide use of the method could save 120 billion dollars in power plants and transmission lines that won't have to be built.

In the study, homeowners who participated were given new electric meters to receive signals from the local utility when power prices were high, and thermostats and computer software that curtail power use at these times. They could set preferences by computer and remotely change preferences while away from home.

Smart grid techniques are a "shock absorber" to the power grid and power plants, giving utilities a chance to "catch a breath" during emergencies.

(Agencies)

Advanced technology to help Americans reduce electricity use can play an active role in managing the grid.

Technology to help Americans reduce electricity use when the grid is stressed could help utilities save $120 billion on spending for new power plants and transmission lines, government officials and researchers said on Wednesday after a study in the Pacific Northwest.

Today, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory announced the results of two studies demonstrating consumers and information technology can play an active role in managing the grid. The Pacific Northwest GridWise Demonstration Project found that advanced technologies enable consumers to be active participants in improving power grid efficiency and reliability, while saving money in the process. The Olympic Peninsula Project found homeowners are willing to adjust their individual energy use based on price signals provided via information technology tools.