Earlier this month, the Obama Administration released their Policy Framework for the 21st Century Grid. The framework, which is subtitled “Enabling Our Secure Energy Future”, is part of a report that includes “policy recommendations that build upon the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the Obama Administration’s smart grid investments to foster long-term investment, job growth, innovation, and help consumers save money.”
The framework is set on four following ideals:
- Enabling cost-effective smart grid investments
- Unlocking the potential for innovation in the electric sector
- Empowering consumers and enabling them to make informed decisions
- Securing the grid
The report points to investments in clean energy and grid updates. In addition, it refers to more than $4.5 billion from the Recovery Act for “electric delivery and energy reliability modernization.” It goes on to cite Secretary of Energy Chu, who commented that the aging grid represents an important area for development over the coming years to ensure the infrastructure is properly maintained, while upgrading its efficiency and effectiveness. This stems from “The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) (U S Congress 2007) [which] made it the policy of the United States to modernize the Nation’s electricity transmission and distribution system.”
Currently there is not one smart grid, but rather different attempts to implement local programs. One challenge will be to coordinate these efforts. For more on the government’s smart grid initiatives and developments, check out their website, SmartGrid.gov.
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