GE has long had its hand in developing the emerging technologies that can take advantage of added integration with a smart grid. CNET recently wrote a story outlining what GE's vision is for the kitchen of the future. It describes how an internet-enabled network of appliances, homes, and utilities will expand the possibilities for enhanced energy saving and consumer, as well as utility, cost reduction.
One interesting aspect of the article is how much of the innovation relies on electricity price signals from the wholesale electricity market. As Power Smart Pricing participants, it is easy to see the benefit of a refrigerator that will wait to make ice or not use its defroster during high priced times, but most residential utility customers do not have access to the variable rates that would enable this technology to lower their monthly bills.
We are firm advocates of electricity pricing choice. We know that not all customers can benefit from real-time pricing, but most in fact can. Given the current low prices of electricity in 2009, over 99% of our customers are saving with Power Smart Pricing. This figure is significantly bolstered by the 27% average participants have been able to achieve this year. Considering the billions of dollars going into the implementation of Smart Grid technologies, its significant to note what households on Power Smart Pricing have been able to achieve in many cases without much more than picking up the telephone.
We are incredibly grateful for the efforts our customers have made and we are actively spreading your achievements nationwide to firmly give you the recognition you deserve as pioneers in this emerging field. It is clear that these new technologies along with real-time electricity pricing can save energy and money, but the biggest influence factor of all is simply the availability of a dynamic rate. The real opportunity lies with the average person in the average household. No assembly required.
CNET's Kitchen of the Future article is here.
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