Consumer-centric smart grid

The smart grid effort is the single largest grid modernization investment in American history. What began as a theoretical idea has increasingly become a reality. Close to $10 billion in investments from both government and industry will introduce major activities in the next 3-5 years as the main momentum of the energy industry transformation. As grid development proceeds, it is necessary to realize that the final recipient of smart grid benefits should be the energy consumer. In the long term, we need to address how to build a smart grid that is both consumer-centric and capable of balancing multiple-attributes (societal constraints verses individual consumer needs versus system operation constraints). In this paper, aspects of grid modernization that affect consumer-end activities are addressed. The roles of home automation, demand-side management, demand response, and the electrification of transportation are discussed as they relate to the consumer. Practical considerations and challenges, such as technology adoption, privacy, and end-benefits are presented.