smart grid

The Importance of the Smart Grid

Renewable energy and conservation are hot topics these days. From the White House to your house, everyone is looking for ways to increase efficiency and ensure we have a sustainable energy supply into the future.

Why is this so important now? Because energy directly fuels our economy and plays a critical role in our daily lives.

To ensure a smart energy future, we have to modernize our existing systems. That’s why SDG&E customers are actively participating by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, exploring renewable energy sources, and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs.

And now, there’s a new way to leverage technology that’s generating interest and action — the smart grid, which will make the job of managing the national energy grid easier and more efficient.

What is the smart grid?

The smart grid is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to upgrade our nation’s energy system for the next century.

The smart grid will add intelligence to the existing grid network through new communications and computer controls. By incorporating digital information and remote management abilities, the smart grid will help:

• Improve the reliability, capacity and capability of the electricity network.
• Ensure a safe, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy supply.
• Enable faster response and resolution to outages.
• Create a resilient, open and dynamic information network.

Our federal government sees the national smart grid effort as critical to our country’s future economic stability and has designated $4.5 billion for smart grid investments as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 *
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 *

SDG&E and the smart grid

SDG&E is among the leaders in the smart grid movement. In fact, we are already working to create a sustainable energy future with our current smart grid demonstration efforts.

We are also an active contributor to the development of standards for the national smart grid effort, as well as a charter member of the GridWise Alliance, and a member of Open smart grid and IBM’s Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition.

In our leadership role, we are committed to providing environmental and economic benefits by creating a resilient, open and dynamic energy and information network. This network will also provide a new way for customers, utilities, and suppliers to actively participate in energy use and supply decisions.

• GridWise Alliance *
• Open smart grid *
• IBM Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition *

Creating a foundation with Smart Meters

Our implementation of a comprehensive smart meter system throughout the region is a first step in SDG&E’s smart grid effort.  The meters will make it easier for our customers to bring smart appliances, electric vehicles and intelligent equipment into their homes and businesses to better manage energy use and reduce costs.

• Read more about smart meters

Our Energy Future is Today

So what does this all mean for you? As an SDG&E customer you can be confident that we are implementing the latest smart grid technologies and energy programs.

By 2020 our goal is to have advanced grid technologies in place that will facilitate a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which includes supplying 33% of our customers’ energy needs from renewable energy sources.

With our smart grid program we are building a 21st century utility infrastructure that provides safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy that will support the future economic needs of our region. And that’s something you can actively take part in, not just talk about. Collectively, we’re on our way to a sustainable energy future.

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