Smart Grid Substitute

Dear Editor,

BGE’s full page advertisement in today’s Sun, 6/14/09, shed some light on its upcoming Smart Grid and metering plan. When implemented, its control of house-hold appliances, etc. will reduce by 37% peak electrical demand, thus preventing brownouts and possible outages in the future. This is amazing and represents considerable savings. BGE estimates that average consumers will also save about $120 yearly. They note that development and installation of the Smart Grid will take several years.

In the interim, I would suggest that the utility implement and promote an aggressive Time of Use billing structure for consumers, coupled with the elimination of their current meter charges. Such steps would quickly lead to many of the identified benefits, thus saving money for everyone involved now, rather than several years from now. This plan would effectively set the stage for the Smart Grid by establishing the desired mindset and providing consumer savings in the interim. Unlike the eventual Smart Grid, these savings are not dependent upon the necessary, customer purchased, smart appliances. As these purchases are expensive, they are likely to be delayed until customers need to replace existing appliances due to malfunction or extreme age. Savings now will lead to greater acceptance of the whole idea of the Smart Grid and will help pay for the eventual purchase of smart appliances when the grid is ready.