Smart grids: Clever, but unprincipled
When it comes to greening the world’s energy supply, technology is not a substitute for policy
The technology is not inherently frugal or green. It can be used to deliver not just clean renewable energy more efficiently, but also the grubby coal-fired sort. By reducing the need for expensive backup capacity, it may actually reduce the cost of electricity, and so encourage consumption. The very fact that utilities and their customers, tree-huggers and industrialists alike are all keen on it hints at the many different ends to which it can be turned. Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar Campwala
