Environmental Leader

A new smart meter initiative in Texas may be one of the most comprehensive such deployments in the U.S., with the goal to replace 3.4 million standard meters with smart meters by 2012.

Electric distributor Oncor and IBM are working on the system, which should help reduce overall electricity use through smarter use of the grid. The goal is for the smart meters to report billable-quality data at 15 minute intervals, according to a press release.

IBM, along with Cisco, also is involved in a smart meter project in Amsterdam, working with energy firm Nuon.

The two are teaming on a pilot of 500 households, with the goal of improving insight into energy consumption and, finally, changing usage behavior. If successful, the smart meter project should be able save 14 percent in energy and CO2 emissions, according to a press release.

IBM will install smart meters on the homes, while Cisco will build the IP-based communications infrastructure that connects household appliances with the grid. The pilot is co-funded by the European Fund for Regional Development.

GE recently hosted a showcase of smart grid technologies, reports CNET.

GE predicts that smart appliances will help consumers save money on electricity, while adding only perhaps $10 each to the cost of the appliances.

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