Smart Grid Policy
As we briefly reflect on the inspiring amount of progress achieved over the past century we notice just how dependent modern civilization has become on these fairly new technological advancements. We are currently living in an age of convenience. We are continually creating more comfortable and convenient environments to further disconnect ourselves from nature. Though these modern advancements have advanced civilization by leaps and bounds we have evolved into a dependent population. We no longer fetch our own water, build our own homes, or even prepare our own meals, simple chores that were part of everyday life a short time ago. As we lay back and enjoy the convenience of online shopping and call in Chinese, we often forget that a natural disaster can bring it all to a screeching hault. The Northeast blackout of 2003 gives us good example of just how reliant we are to our electrical grids. In just two days without electricity New York City encountered a host of problems ranging from communication, transportation, financial, and industrial. The blackout was due to a software bug the infiltrated the outdated power grid of the region leaving over a dozen states and even parts of Canada in the dark.
Our current power grid was constructed in the early 1900’s and has continuously been patched up over the years. Though our grid continues to keep the lights on to this day we must adopt a Smart Grid system that allows for our digital technology communicate with the grid that it relies so heavily upon. Similar to the internet, the Smart Grid will consist of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies and equipment working together with the grid to respond digitally to our quickly changing electric demand (SmartGrid.gov). Our power grid today can be affected by a natural disaster taking place in a whole different state than that of our own. This is due to the domino effect that knocks down surrounding connecting grid systems. Due to the communicating aspect of the Smart Grid, an automatic rerouting takes place when one portion of the grid experiences an outage leaving the rest of the system unharmed. By enacting policies and allocating funding for a smarter grid, we will add resiliency to our electric power system and make it better prepared to address natural disasters or even terrorist attacks. I feel we can accomplish a smart grid system by establishing standards for electric efficiency at the state level, and persuade electrical corporations to meet these standards or face penalties. Also by offering grants at the federal level for smart grid construction we would help to minimize any increases in electric prices for the consumers of these corporations. Updating our electrical grid is something many of us feel is crucial to ensure the resiliency of America and by adopting policies to accomplish this, we will achieve much more than keeping the lights on. A smart grid system will give America a sheer advantage, allowing us to lead the rest of the world in economic efficiency and sustainability.

Sources
Rebuild by Design. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2014, from http://www.rebuildbydesign.org/
Recovery Act Smart Grid Investments. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from
https://www.smartgrid.gov/