Smart grid is said to be the energy maintenance system of the future as it will encourage consumers to save on electricity during peak times. However there are many stumbling blocks on the way and it will take time for smart gird to become a state wide reality. There are some utility companies who have decided not to join the bandwagon till these blocks are cleared. There are quite a few cities in different countries that have started experimental phases as to what works best and what does not work and how to solve the existing problems in the new smart grid systems.
At present, smart grid test projects have been conducted in cities like New York, Colorado, Illinois and Hawaii. There are a few projects in other cities in their discussion phase. The whole point of conducting the experiments is to show to the people that smart grid that smart gird technology is the technology of the future and it is the most viable option for all problems related to energy requirements. Several concerns will come up with better working models on how to run the new technology across America.
However the problems faced could be that what works in one state might not work in other states. Hence the testing sites are diverse in nature and they are spread out. There will be more rural areas that will benefit from the new energy source and there will be lesser blackouts during the winter months. Areas that receive good sunlight will benefit from solar power while windy areas will benefit from the power harnessed from the wind. Another issue would be to connect the states with a uniform system so that management becomes easier. As of now, the different states regulate their energy and utilities in different ways and hence new rules will have to be drafted otherwise the grid system would have to be different for different states.
According to Eco-businesswiure.com, the test projects in the different states are going to be expensive and the states are just about limping when they have to upgrade from the current system to the upgraded system. For example, the experiment at Colorado by Fort Collins is estimated to cost about $350 million. Hence we see that the costs would run in hundreds of billions of dollars to upgrade the power grid nationwide.