Facts are fun. A fact is knowledge you can trust because it is from experts and tested. Overall facts move us ahead as a society. Fiction entertains us along the way. Know what is entertaining? The notion that Smart Grid technology is a, “plot from the government to spy on rural America”, “big brother coming down on taxpayers”, or “radio frequency emissions from the meters harming humans.”
Since smart meters have mostly been in the news for the concerns the harm they could do, lets review the three major fears: RF (radio frequency) emissions, privacy, and meter accuracy.
Fact or Fiction: RF (radio frequency) emissions
PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno has stated repeatedly that smart meters do not pose a health risk as the emitted radio signals are well within limits established by the Federal Communications Commission. “The meters emit a signal once every four hours for a fraction of a second, and at very low power,” Moreno said. “These levels are far below what you would find in many common household appliances.
Fact or Fiction: Privacy
Current meters report all energy usage in homes. Smart meters will allow utilities and customers to reduce energy use and save money. Customers will save money by being able to track their electricity usage in near-real time and then making lifestyle choices and appliance-buying decisions to lower their monthly utility bill. Customers will also be able to switch to a time-of-use (TOU) rate structure that allows them to take advantage of very low rates during non-peak hours by choosing to run appliances like washers and dryers at night, rather than during peak demand periods. New appliances and thermostats will interface with the new smart meters to run during non-peak hours or to reduce their usage during peak hours
Fact or Fiction: Meter Accuracy
On April 1, 2010, the CPUC contracted with The Structure Group to conduct an independent evaluation of PG&E’s Smart Meters in response to concern expressed by consumers over high energy bills that occurred around the same time PG&E installed Smart Meters in the San Joaquin Valley area. Structure independently tested more than 750 Smart Meters and 147 electromechanical meters. In laboratory testing, field meter testing, and end-to-end system testing, Structure determined that all of the tested Smart Meters and systems were working accurately and that customer billing matched the expected results.
Now that we have some better idea of the fact and fiction around Smart Meters, we can look into why they are so special. Our nation’s power grid is an antique. If Thomas Edison were to arise again and look at our power grid he would be amused and concerned that little has been updated since he was around, in the 1900s. As we look at solar and wind power to power our nation’s energy needs, we will need a better grid system to attach it to. According to a DOE study, if the power grid were 5 percent more efficient the reduction in carbon emissions would be equal to removing 53 million cars from the roads permanently. Implementing a system as large as Smart Grid will take time and prove to have some ups and downs. But just because the Wright Brothers first few planes crashed, doesn’t mean we, as a nation, should remain stuck on a 1900s Grid.
Imagine a typical house with no rain catchment: Rainfall lands on the roof, flows to a downspout, and out to the nearest storm drain. Along the way, the water picks up surface pollutants such as oil, grease, chemicals, and fertilizers and carries them to our rivers and the ocean. These pollutants are called Non-Point Source Pollution, or NPS. Since the water flows over concrete and asphalt, very little is absorbed into the soil, meaning no groundwater recharge. Later, the homeowner has to use city water for landscaping.
Step 2 – Decide where you want the rainwater to go:
