Utilities learn how best to deliver smart grid message, drawing on experience of others

摘要

Electric utilities are learning how best to inform customersnabout smart grid plans, with timing playing a key role, speakersnat a Washington conference said last week.nAt the same conference, a survey of utilities showed thenmost common theme in consumer education has been aboutnoperational benefits for the utilities, with consumer benefitsnmentioned less frequently. Informing customers about savingnmoney, using less energy and the environmental benefits ofnsmart grid plans appeared in about 40% or 50% of the utilitynresponses, compared with 80% of the responses that mentionednsuch utility benefits as reduced meter reading costs, enhancednreliability tools and enhanced monitoring of utility networks.