{"id":1005,"date":"2011-04-18T14:33:18","date_gmt":"2011-04-18T14:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=1005"},"modified":"2015-12-21T12:46:27","modified_gmt":"2015-12-21T18:46:27","slug":"smart-meter-best-practice-proactively-address-public-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2011\/04\/18\/smart-meter-best-practice-proactively-address-public-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Meter Best Practice: Proactively Address Public Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A well-designed smart grid will drive the clean energy revolution we need<\/a> \u2013 securing our energy independence, increasing our ability to compete in the global clean energy market and empowering consumers \u2013 all while protecting our air, water and the health of our children.<\/p>\n

Yet in a few places, there has been a backlash against smart meters, which are key pieces of the infrastructure needed to make our 100-year old electricity grid \u2018smart.\u2019\u00a0 Wireless smart meters are now the subject of considerable media attention in California for their use of radio frequencies (RF) \u2013 a type of energy that is used in cell phones<\/a>, microwaves and other every day products.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we invest billions of dollars to upgrade the infrastructure that literally powers our economy, utilities and policymakers need to address the disconnect between the grid\u2019s huge potential public health benefits and some individuals’ concerns over the wireless technology that smart meters \u00a0use to transmit data between customers and utilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the public health benefits.\u00a0 America\u2019s outdated energy system is wasteful, expensive and a major source of pollution. Once a smart grid is in place, it will improve air quality and the health of millions of Americans affected by pollution that is often too dangerous to breathe<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A smart grid will:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Help consumers save money by enabling them to see and manage their energy use while reducing harmful air pollution. As a result, consumers will be able to shift their demand for energy to when it is cheaper, which will save them money during \u2018peak\u2019 times when utilities have to run the dirtiest and most expensive types of power plants.\u00a0 With greater use of this “demand response” option, California alone could avoid building or running more than 100 of these \u2018peaker\u2019 power plants, which we pay for with our dollars and our health. <\/a>Nationally, demand response could avoid up to 2,000 peaker plants<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Make it possible to adjust demand to follow variable wind and solar supplies and thus enable us to use more clean, renewable, home-grown energy.\u00a0 This will reduce the environmental damage done by mining and burning coal and natural gas and cut harmful and costly air pollution.<\/li>\n
  3. Facilitate the switch to clean electric vehicles by allowing drivers to \u201csmart charge\u201d them at night when energy, including pollution-free wind power, is abundant and cheap \u2013 cutting foreign oil imports and the environmental damage done by domestic oil drilling.<\/li>\n
  4. Make the transmission and distribution grid more efficient.\u00a0 For example, the ability to optimize voltage on power lines will save three percent of all of the power generated in the U.S., worth roughly $10 billion a year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The lesson from this disconnect in California isn\u2019t to stop smart meters from being installed altogether: it is that the effort should be undertaken with the customer foremost in mind. Customers need to better understand the benefits of the smart grid and the critical role that smart meters play in achieving them. They also need to know what the studies show about the wireless technology they use.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Utilities can easily provide consumers with key findings from many of the studies done on radio frequencies since they\u2019ve become commonplace. \u00a0A recent in-depth review of the scientific literature by the World Health Organization<\/a> (WHO) concluded that \u201ccurrent evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields.\u201d\u00a0 The review states that \u201cin the area of biological effects and medical applications of non-ionizing radiation, approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals.\u201d As is the case with chemicals<\/a>, EDF supports continuing research as wireless technology becomes even more popular.<\/p>\n

    Since exposure is determined by signal strength and proximity to the device emitting the signal, there will likely be unique situations that require special attention.\u00a0 For example, multi-family dwellings may have many smart meters grouped together in one location. This concentration could expose residents who live close to those meters to higher levels of RF energy. \u00a0One way utilities can address concerns raised in those situations and keep meters working as planned would be to use steel shielding and partner with companies that can provide RF absorbers or reflectors<\/a> to households.<\/p>\n

    Additionally, some individuals describe themselves as having electromagnetic hypersensitivity<\/a>, which they believe causes them to have headaches, fatigue, nausea and insomnia. \u00a0Utilities can work with these customers by facilitating options that address their concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    What will utilities get in return<\/a> for their proactive customer service? At minimum, they stand to gain a customer base that is comfortable with the technology. At best, a loyal community that understands the benefits of the smart grid and takes an active role in transforming the way we use energy and protecting not only the environment but everyone\u2019s quality of life.\u00a0 What will we all gain? At the micro level, more reliable service and lower electric bills. At the macro level, a stronger economy, energy independence, cleaner air and a healthier environment for our children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A well-designed smart grid will drive the clean energy revolution we need \u2013 securing our energy independence, increasing our ability to compete in the global clean energy market and empowering consumers \u2013 all while protecting our air, water and the health of our children. 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