Summary: The Coming Energy Revolution

The article "The Coming Energy Revolution" explains how companies will cut electricity costs by using new "Smart-Grid" technology. Development of this new technology is still in the early stages, but plans for the new product involve transforming the old grid into a two-way network, having power and information flow in both directions between the utility and the customer. However, this new grid does come at a costly price. Costs are estimated to reach $165 billion just to create the "smart-grid". The article also explains how Cargill occasionally uses its own generators for power rather than its electricity vendor, who set rates for industrial customers using peak-use patterns. Another benefit to the new grid would be allowing customers more flexibility in the type of power they use, offering solar and even wind power as possible options. According to the article, the smart-grid will also give customers the ability to see just how much energy their lighting, air conditioning and appliances use and because electricity costs more during peak demand times, it will allow people to shift use of these appliances to off peak periods.