{"id":2937,"date":"2012-07-26T15:52:43","date_gmt":"2012-07-26T15:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=2937"},"modified":"2015-12-21T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2015-12-21T18:46:09","slug":"smart-meters-are-key-to-a-smart-grid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2012\/07\/26\/smart-meters-are-key-to-a-smart-grid\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Meters Are Key To A Smart Grid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cassandra Brunette is a research associate in EDF’s Office of Chief Scientist.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: PG&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A well-designed smart grid is critical<\/a> to the clean energy revolution we need \u2013 enabling significantly greater use of clean, renewable, domestic energy resources and improved air quality to protect the health of millions of Americans now harmed by dangerous air pollution.<\/p>\n

Smart meters are a key component of the smart grid. \u00a0They unlock air quality, climate pollution and public health benefits by enabling two-way, real-time communication that gives households, small businesses, manufacturers and farmers (and the utilities that serve them) the information they need to cut energy use and electricity costs. \u00a0These devices help ensure that every day energy users reap the many benefits of the smart grid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, as a recent PBS NewsHour report<\/a> explained, some activist groups and individuals in areas where smart meters have been deployed have expressed concerns over exposure to radio frequencies (RFs) resulting from the use \u00a0of this technology. \u00a0EDF supports further research and opt-out programs for those concerned.\u00a0 But what is missing from the PBS report is a clear account of the current, available scientific evidence on smart meters and health. \u00a0EDF uses the best available science in all of its programs, and our smart grid initiative is no exception<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I am a member of EDF\u2019s science team out of the San Francisco Bay Area and have dug deep into the peer-reviewed literature on health effects of smart meters, as well as independent assessments by agencies and industry groups and reports from government agencies. \u00a0Here is what we know:<\/p>\n

Research shows that every day humans come into contact with RFs from a wide variety of sources, including \u2013 but not limited to \u2013 wireless or cellular phones, microwaves, wireless internet routers, hair dryers, baby monitors and wireless laptops. \u00a0Each has varying levels of exposure that depend on the technology and \u2013 importantly \u2013 on distance from the source.<\/p>\n

One example in our daily lives is the use of a cell phone. \u00a0A study by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI<\/a>) found that during a call, cell phones held at the ear generate exposure levels between 1000-5000 microwatts per square centimeter (\u00b5W\/cm2<\/sup>).\u00a0 In comparison, when transmitting, smart meters create exposure levels of approximately 8.8 \u00b5W\/cm2<\/sup>. \u00a0And that\u2019s if a person is standing right in front of the meter. \u00a0In homes and businesses, people are much farther away from their electric meter, so exposure levels are far lower. \u00a0This means that a cell phone call exposes a person to hundreds of times more RFs than a transmitting smart meter.<\/strong> \u00a0Moreover, smart meters only transmit signals roughly 2-5% of the day (approximately 30-70 minutes).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: CCST<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The chart to the right (units in \u00b5W\/cm2<\/sup>), from a report by the California Council on Science and Technology<\/a>, puts smart meters in context with other RF emitting technologies. \u00a0Keep in mind that this chart compares smart meters at a hypothetical maximum exposure level with transmission occurring during 100% of the day. \u00a0Even at these hypothetical maximums, exposure from smart meters is significantly lower than other technologies already in use.<\/p>\n

Assessments also show that impacts from RFs come in two forms, thermal (heat-related) and non-thermal. \u00a0The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sets safety standards for thermal impacts. \u00a0Smart meter exposure levels fall well below the FCC\u2019s limits for safety for thermal impacts. \u00a0As for non-thermal impacts, the cumulative impacts of low-dose, long-term exposure are uncertain. \u00a0To date, there is no scientific evidence of non-thermal impacts from smart meter RF emissions. \u00a0EDF supports continued research on any possible health impacts of all RF emitters, but given the current standard for thermal impacts and uncertainties of non-thermal impacts, there is no evidence that the public would benefit from additional standards.<\/p>\n

EDF\u2019s number one priority is environmental and public health safety. \u00a0We advocate for a \u201csmart grid done right\u201d to quote a message by EDF\u2019s President Fred Krupp<\/a>, and we are not alone in this effort.\u00a0 Though the PBS NewsHour story references \u201cenvironmentalists\u201d broadly opposed to a smarter grid, EDF is one of many environmental organizations<\/a> strongly advocating for grid modernization as the clear path to lessening our dependence on fossil fuels and moving us toward a clean, healthy, low-carbon energy system. \u00a0Our science team will continue thorough assessments of the best available science on this topic and our work with utilities, regulators and the smart grid industry to protect the environment and the health of customers.<\/p>\n

For more information on the many benefits of the smart grid, please view EDF\u2019s fact sheet here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cassandra Brunette is a research associate in EDF’s Office of Chief Scientist. A well-designed smart grid is critical to the clean energy revolution we need \u2013 enabling significantly greater use of clean, renewable, domestic energy resources and improved air quality to protect the health of millions of Americans now harmed by dangerous air pollution. Smart …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6334,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84830],"tags":[27597],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-2937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-grid-modernization","tag-smart-meters"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSmart Meters Are Key To A Smart Grid - Energy Exchange<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2012\/07\/26\/smart-meters-are-key-to-a-smart-grid\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Smart Meters Are Key To A Smart Grid - Energy Exchange\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Cassandra Brunette is a research associate in EDF’s Office of Chief Scientist. 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