Inside GE's smart grid lab, electrical engineer John Kern shows off GE's Ecodashboard, a product under development that will display home energy usage and other data. So far, GE can display a home's energy usage and the benefits of energy-saving measures, like running a dishwasher at off-peak times.
GE is working on both software, such as this application, as well as hardware aimed at utilities. "The smart grid is about taking the grid that's there now and adding intelligence in the form of communications and information," Kern said. The equipment GE is designing will allow utilities to better monitor voltage and current along the distribution grid. With better information, they can distribute more power down the line while still maintaining stability, Kern explained.
Photo by Martin LaMonica/CNET News
Caption by Martin LaMonica
