Smart grid could reduce emissions by 12 percent

A smart electrical power grid could decrease annual electric energy use and utility-sector carbon emissions by at least 12 percent by 2030, according to a new report from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The report shows a direct link between the smart grid and carbon emissions. It evaluates how different functions of the smart grid could provide substantial reduction in energy use and carbon emissions — both directly by using new technology and indirectly by making renewable energy and efficiency programs more affordable and potentially larger.

That means by putting a truly smart grid to work, the nation could prevent the equivalent of 442 million metric tons, or 66 typical coal power plants' worth, of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.

Scientists at PNNL estimate that it will be 20 years before smart grid technologies are pervasive. Download the report or watch video from PNNL to learn more.