Americans Wising up to the Smart Grid

摘要

All of the recent hype and investment in energy efficiency, renewable power and new technology won't amount to much without the proper upgrades to our energy infrastructure. Thankfully, the trend points to rapid growth in this dimension, too.rnAccording to the Rockville, Md.-based market research firm Specialists in Business Information (SBI), the U.S. market for smart grid technologies is projected to grow by almost 21 percent a year for the next five years. The rapid increase -will take the market from its current total of $6 billion to almost $17 billion by 2014. An aging electric infrastructure, increasing demand for electricity, and increased reliance on foreign fuel sources have exposed the need for a more effective electric energy system, both nationally and abroad. The convergence of these factors will propel the rapid growth.