Beyond AMI in tomorrow´s smart grid

Utilities are at a crossroad. Engineers are deploying and evaluating the smart grid´s advanced feeder automation technology in the monitoring, management and manipulation of loads. Meanwhile, self-sufficient loads are emerging, classified as distributed energy resources. Simultaneously, utility executives are struggling to meet increased business pressure to generate new revenue streams from loads, while reducing costs. Both engineers and executives seem to have convergent themes and objectives, except for the third player who is diverging: the customer. Eventually the utility must recognize the importance of customer satisfaction in accomplishing any of the characteristics of the smart grid´s objectives by the most cost effective means. Unsatisfied customers are uncooperative loads. A lack of cooperation is expensive to overcome if not, for all practical purposes, impossible.