Because I know you just can't get enough of the smart grid and smart meters, I wanted to direct your attention to new research outlining concerns for (among?) those building out these new technologies.
The first is a new report from EcoAlign that illustrates the very real consumer perception problem that utility companies face as they spend billions of dollars on smart meters and smart grid infrastructure. The report, entitled "Separating Smart Grid from Smart Meters? Consumer Perceptions and Expectations of the Smart Grid," reflects data gathered during 1,000 online interviews in May 2010.
The most poignant statistic from my perspective is the fact that 70 percent of those surveyed haven't heard of the phrase smart grid. On the face of it, that's not a great thing for all the companies spending money on the buildout BUT it also means that these same companies have an excellent opportunity to participate in shaping consumer perceptions. The other positive thing is that those who HAVE heard of the smart grid believe that it will bring them benefits. So, there's a good foundation of good will. Most of them associate the benefits with having some greater degree of control over their utility bills.
The next analysis is from PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has released a report called "Smart Grid Growing Pains" that outlines what it calls growing pains for smart grid deployments. Nothing really revelatory, but here are the six areas of discussion in the report:
The final report you should grab is from the Lexington Institute, which is a self-described think tank on national priorities. Called "Smart Grid Implementation: Strategies for Success," the 19-page report provides more information on the following topics: cybersecurity, smart power transmission, interoperability standards, and consumer adoption/acceptance.