Will “smart grid” efforts succeed?

The White House announced last week that is was planning to forge ahead with "smart grid" plans for the United States. By increasing controls technology and digital information, the effort would potentially update the American electrical transmission system to provide real-time information about the state of the grid. Supporters of the move say that by monitoring power - where, when and how it's used - consumers and power companies could store power overnight, incorporate intermittent generators like wind and solar, and generally get more bang for their buck. Skeptics, however, mention possible drawbacks in bringing IT to energy, including the security and privacy concerns of consumers whose movements on the grid could be traced and tracked by multiple parties. What do you think? Will "smart grid" efforts succeed? Yes or no? RESULTS

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