smart electric grids

The current electric system in the United States is very inefficient due to congestion in the transmission lines. In turn, electricity is wasted and higher costs are passed onto consumers. A viable solution for this issue is creating a national electric grid.  This new grid is known as a Smart Grid.  Smart Grids allow for the transmission of energy from energy surplus areas to energy deficit locations. Due to the fact that the system is centralized and networked, renewable energy sources could be more readily employed as regions better suited for producing particular types of renewable energy.  This option also allows links energy consumers directly with utility providers to ensure real-time information regarding energy use using meters to gauge use. Over time, this promotes a shift in energy use from peak to off-peak times and aids in the shift of consumer behavior to improve overall efficiency.