The Power of Information: Redefining U.S. Energy Infrastructure with a Modern Smart Grid

摘要

The U.S. electric power grid provides electricity to over three hundred million people every day. This electricity powers some of the most advanced technologies in the world but is surprisingly delivered through a mostly aging, outmoded and over-stressed network. In fact, 70 percent of transmission lines and transformers are more than 25 years old, while 60 percent of circuit breakers are 30 years old or more. Combine this with the fact that today's grid was designed in the 50s and installed in the 60s and 70s, before the era of the microprocessor, and it becomes clear that a new system will be needed to handle future energy demands.