New US smart grid package could spur energy-saving opportunities
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has taken a step that is likely to lead to widespread use of smart metering products and more energy-saving business opportunities after awarding more than $57 million (£35 million) for smart grid demonstration projects.
Eight such projects across the US will benefit from the investment as the DOE speeds up its programme of testing out the feasibility of smart grids and their effectiveness in helping to reduce energy consumption.
Announcing the funding, energy secretary Steven Chu said: "Modernising our electrical grid to make it stronger, smarter, more efficient and more secure is a crucial step in expanding renewable energy and creating jobs.
"These investments will help lay the foundation for American leadership in the clean energy economy."
A recent report by the DoE found that adoption of green technologies such as smart metering is growing steadily despite the fact that this is relatively new territory.
The report stated that smart grid technologies could "dramatically change" how the country experiences electricity but added that "grid best practices" will have to be adopted across the board for this to happen.
