Peak load is the utilities’ nightmare; it happens once or twice every year, and it’s always a scramble to make sure things don’t go disastrously awry every single time. This is why it would be useful to the utilities if people have smart meters that can both monitor usage and be used to control it in times of systemic stress. It is also why utilities like Consolidated Edison in New York robocall pretty much every one in the five boroughs on particularly hot summer days asking residents to pretty please turn down their air conditioners else risk setting off a citywide blackout. Many people
...more
