IF THE millions of refrigerators, electric water-heaters and air conditioners attached to the average power grid were less selfish, and adjusted their energy consumption according to the state of that grid, there would be less need to run spare coal-fired generating capacity on the off-chance that it might be required--and intermittent power sources, such as the wind, could be accommodated more easily. Full Story »
Posted by Jane Wylen
This article is chock full of information. It starts with a clear depiction of the topic: the advantages of designing appliances that adjust their energy based on the state of the grid. Then it goes on to explain clearly the most advanced project to accomplish this. Then it describes another project, and ends with the conclusion that testing this technology may work best on small power grids, for instance on islands. So the article is well organized and gives a good overall view of this interesting technology.
