Al Gore: Our next power grid will be like the Net

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore discusses his hopes and fears for the future of the smart grid.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

SAN MATEO, Calif.--Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore hopes that America's next-generation power grid will be a lot like the Internet. Or at least that's the plan.

How close we get to that goal depends on what happens in the next five years, Gore said in a speech here on Thursday evening at blog VentureBeat's GreenBeat conference, where he outlined many of the challenges the United States faces in upgrading its power grid. Along the way, he made comparisons to how the advent of the so-called smart grid will enable the kind of solutions and business innovation that the Internet brought during the 1990s.

"The analogy to the Internet is quite an exact one. Not completely exact, but it's very relevant for lots of reasons. We are moving inexorably toward a widely distributed energy generation and storage model. We are still locked into the old centralized energy generation model," Gore said. "The rapid development of new generations of new smart storage systems are going to make a tremendous difference in connection with the smart grids." Those systems are designed to enable easier storage of unused electricity for peak times, when supplying it to large groups of customers can be difficult and more expensive.

Gore also foresees an entirely new set of devices and instruments to help utilities and consumers control and monitor usage--technology and business models that may not yet have been imagined. "(It's) much the same way the Internet made it possible to see this generation of Internet-ready devices that did not even exist before the Internet began to build out," Gore said.

There are a few obstacles on the way there, though, the main one being a mix of outdated legislation and hardware that makes up America's current electricity grid. For example, the average estimated age of transformers currently in use 42 years, longer than their projected run of service. Updating or replacing them with something that will work with the smart grid requires money, along with a plan to back it up.

But Gore says such a plan is not so simple. "In many states...regulators and legislators still have these antiquated laws and regulations," Gore said. "We're still locked in a way of thinking about the grid that is based on the assumptions that these large coal fire-generating plants and other centralized generating plants [are] connected, always and in real time, to consumers, and the world is passing that model by."

Al Gore thinks the smart grid will usher in the same kind of business innovation the Internet brought.

(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

Gore highlighted the relative comfort of the energy industry, noting that energy accounted for roughly 16 percent to 17 percent of the U.S. economy, and that attempting to convince those in charge to invest in the smart grid is an uphill battle. "The good news is that it's split somewhat," Gore said. "There are many business leaders in that sector, and I want to compliment some of those electric utilities, some of them here, who have become a part of the movement for change."

One of those is Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which recently began rolling out smart digital electricity meters of its own. However, that move has already been put into question by customers whose bills have skyrocketed since the changeover. Some of those in Bakersfield, Calif., where PG&E began its pilot deployment, have filed a class action lawsuit against the utility.

But Gore pointed out that no transition would be easy. "There's an old African proverb that some of you have heard: 'If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,'" Gore said. "The truth is, we have to go far quickly, which means we've got to get our act together quickly."

[nouser]

Like the web riddled with hackers and spam. I can't wait.

[tektaktyks]

yea but it will be full of porn too...

[William Crow]

Gore - Trying his best to be relevant.

[HeavyJim]

I will bet he has a lot of interest in the companies that will try to bring this about.

[Lerianis3]

I have to agree... most likely, he has connections with these companies, just like he has connections with the oil and gas companies that he rails against, and he will be making money hand over fist off this.

[Spartan_458]

I wasn't aware that Al Gore was going to invent the nxt power grid, too.

[johnsbrn1]

I invented the power grid

[algoreaphobia]

Wow, I bet Al Gore invented the power grid too ;)

[ebethiri]

You're all misinformed. Gore never said that he invented the Internet - he said at one point in one interview while running for President (a race he actually did win rightfully) that he "took the initiative in creating the Internet - which is 100% true. Without Gore's support, we may never have developed the Internet for public use. <br /> <br /> In fact, I challenge any one of you to find the clip where Al says that he - word for word - "invented the Internet". You won't find it because it did not happen. Maybe you should quit watching Fox news and quit spreading misinformation.

[kewell82]

ebethiri, how about you youtube Gore invented the internet and you will find the clip. You may have to search through the clips that make fun of him but you will find it. Also anyone that supports Al Gore is a pinhead.

[cptnjarhead]

Wow.. just like a liberal you are spinning the facts.<br />Al Gore was not a member of congress when ARPANET was being developed in 1969.<br />Al Gore was not elected to congress until 1976.<br />Al Gore introduced a bill 1990 for the federal government to devolope software for teachers to use....<br />and a federal research center or "information systems highway." This ISH that Gore was purposing.. was separate from the internet.<br />Al Gore didn't even start his ISH initiative until 14 years after the ARPANET/internet was developed.<br />He took NO initiative in the creation of the internet. He was heading in a different direction, towards a federally controlled system.. nothing like what we are using today. But now we are heading towards a government controlled internet.. so i guess Al Gore could say.. "I killed the Internet"<br />Don't even get me started on the election.<br />just sit down.

[Thad Boyd]

@kewell82: I assume the reason you didn't provide a link is because it doesn't actually exist. (I DO, on the other hand, have a link: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp .)<br /><br />@cptnjarhead: You, at least, are reasonably well-informed on the subject, and make a reasonable argument, complete with dates -- your flamebaiting ad hominems notwithstanding. What "creation of the Internet" means is absolutely subject to debate. I think it's fair to say that the Internet as it exists today exists because of R&#38;D funding by people like Gore.<br /><br />As for "federally controlled system", that's an entirely separate debate we could have, and I note you don't actually bother to say what you're talking about and just throw it out as a pejorative. For my part, I favor net neutrality, but believe it should be passed by Congress, not the FCC -- FCC control of the Internet could indeed be a nightmare of arbitrary censorship (though probably never as bad as network TV is); on that, liberals and conservatives can agree.

[theveggiedude]

"Wow.. just like a liberal you are spinning the facts.<br />Al Gore was not a member of congress when ARPANET was being developed in 1969."<br /><br />No one said Gore was a member of ARPANET, you seem to hear things people don't say, such as "I invented the internet".<br /><br />Maybe you should read dome facts from wikipedia:<br /><br />As a Senator, Gore began to craft the High Performance Computing and Communication Act of 1991 (commonly referred to as "The Gore Bill") after hearing the 1988 report Toward a National Research Network submitted to Congress by a group chaired by UCLA professor of computer science, Leonard Kleinrock, one of the central creators of the ARPANET (the ARPANET, first deployed by Kleinrock and others in 1969, is the predecessor of the Internet). The bill was passed on December 9, 1991 and led to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) which Gore referred to as the "information superhighway."<br /><br /><br />This Bill shaped the World Wide Web as we know it today.

[cptnjarhead]

"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." quote from In a CNN interview on 9 March 2000 with Wolf Blitzer.<br />Lets break that down.<br />1. During my service in the United States Congress - from 1976 to 1984<br />2. I - me - possessive<br />3. took the initiative - beginning or introductory step<br />4. creating - bring into existence<br />5. the Internet - worldwide system of computer networks, created by Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn led the development of the TCP/IP protocol which was funded by the pentagon agency called ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) in 1973 (hence the name ARPANET), Vinton Cerf came up with the name "Internet" in 1974.<br />All this took place before Al Gore was even in congress.<br />Sooooooooo.... Al Gore's statement "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." was incorrect. <br />As for the Al Gore bill.. High Performance Computing and Communications Act in 1991 (while he was a senator), supported the National Research and Education Network initiative (NREN) a specialized internet service provider dedicated to supporting the needs of the research and education communities within a country.<br />This act,bill had NO initiative or creation of the "Internet".<br />As your buddy Al would say... " the debate is over"<br />BAM!

[tektaktyks]

i thought he said we gonna die from global warming so wth we need some grid for?

[HeavyJim]

Big al says we need a better grid, probably because his bigger better house needs more energy. Wonder if his private jet is going to be converted to electric?

[magicmaster]

404---Power not found.

[iptofar]

When are people going to stop listening to the center of the earth is millions of degrees goracle moron? He is not educated, experienced, or knowledgable in science or technology. Why do people hold him up as some type of expert on something other than the hot air he spews?

[libertyforall1776]

There are also significant privacy implications: <br />"Your smart meter is watching - Technology's ability to reveal intimate details makes useful conservation tool a threat to privacy":<br />http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/726528<br /><br />Al Gore is a globalist, and made billions off this global warming scam:<br />http://www.globalwarmingheartland.org/<br /><br />Gore is also pushing the cap and trade scam to tax everyone for carbon dioxide, which is what plants breath! <br /><br />Stop paying attention to those who are destroying this country's sovereignty and pushing false "science" on the public. Apple should be ashamed to have this misrepresenter on their Board.

[biffhenerson]

Wow... I think that he had some sort of mental breakdown after loosing the election. It's kinda sad to watch him self destruct. Obviously some sort of mental illness. It's sad than non of his handlers step up and help him. I guess they are in fear of loosing their paycheck. I hope that he doesn't end up like Elvis or Jacko. Poor poor Al. If only he would realize that there is nothing humans can do to change the earths climate. We are but a tiny tiny speck on this, the third rock from the sun.

[JollyGreenGiant_]

"Gore is also pushing the cap and trade scam to tax everyone for carbon dioxide, which is what plants breath! " <br /> <br />As someone in the environmental management field, a word of advice to all those out there misinformed about GHG control. It is not a matter if, or how, we control Green House Gasses, but when. Congress does not have to pass legislation to control GHG. In 2008 the Supreme Court ruled that the USEPA must decide if CO2 is a pollutant and if so, must regulate and control it. The USEPA deemed CO2 as a pollultant. This makes it possible for a listing under the Criteria Pollutants of the Clean Air Act. Quite frankly, as someone who works with the Clean Air Act (and the mess that it is), I would much rather have legislation from Congress than regulation from USEPA under the CAA. <br />...Just a thought too keep in mind

[iptofar]

I for one welcome the court case that will proceed from the EPA regulation of CO2. It will be truly wonderful to watch all the "scientists" defend the computer models on a witness stand and under oath. Not to mention actually having to prove not only that the EPA didn't overstep it's mandate but also that global warming, I mean global climate change is a valid theory to the standards a court would impose. If you've been paying attention, it seems we've been catching many of the global warming "scientists" in scientific fraud lately.

[hawaii18]

You guys make me laugh ,thank you,very funny.

[akoifman]

Great comments. Al Gore invented the Internet. Well if not the Internet, then Global Warming for sure. Clearly majority of the people see the fraud of Global Warming (now Climate Change - just to be of the safe side if it gets colder). This is another scan to make UN useful. Of course, it is much easier to talk about global warming than nuclear Iran. In latter you have to do something real, in the former just BS.<br /><br />Al Gore is a clown with an Oscar. I have to admit he knows hows to make money from nothing.

[theveggiedude]

"Al Gore invented the Internet" has and always will be propagated by right wingers, because if you say a lie often enough, it becomes truth. It's no wonder we don't believe you now about being skeptical on global warming - no credibility at all.

[peece64]

Al Gore is a frontman and salesperson for the group behind the Global Climate Change Movement. They pay him a lot of money to promote their agenda. He's been asked so many times by renowned scientist to debate his theory but he refuses. To help elevate his status, the group pushed the nobel group to award him a prize, in the hope that he can win the hearts of gov'ts to go with their agenda. <br />In fact, the old african proverb he quoted is false. I don't know where he got it. The truth will catch up with him someday....

[luke_marsh]

just plough 250 billion dollars in cheap superconductor engineering ear marking 80 billion for transitional assistance with advanced electronic research and development over the next 7 years do all this on a complex green trade deal for those who accept the subsidy and those who wish to use offsetting and green trade to boost their industrial profile and bobs your uncle.<br />If your looking for a game changer then the best one for the next decade is cheap super conductors.<br />It's the difference between a PC and GPU 4GHz Terra flop machine at the home and a 40 GHz mini PHz crystal charged beast. Or to put it another way 60 miles before charge or 240 of your industrial electrical vehicle regardless of AL gore super conducting and smart grids make for good economics.

[Been_there_Saw_it_before]

What did he say?

[ebethiri]

cptnjarhead - you are wrong. No self proclaimed "BAM" can prove otherwise. Keep hearing what you want to hear -and the rest of us, the progressive, forward thinking America, will continue to work for a sustainable future. <br />You and your ilk will always kick and scream - acting like bratty children - because you cannot put differences aside to do the right thing - for our country, our children and the future of human kind. <br /> <br />Taking cheap, inaccurate shots at Al Gore just further exposes you for the "idiot America" (as GreenDay coined during the Bush years) that you are. FYI this is why your political belief system is out of power and the party that represents it is falling apart. <br /> <br />It's a free country, you can say what you want to - but damn, its annoying. I wish all of you could just act like adults.

[cptnjarhead]

"inaccurate shots at Al Gore".. please correct any inaccuracy's in my post.<br />ebethiri you are putting a personal spin on this not me. I merely broke down Mr. Gores statement and pointed out the inaccurate nature of that statement. <br />I have made no cheap shots at Mr. Gore... well unless your referring to "the debate is over"... then maybe. or was it.. the "BAM".. do you hate Emeril Lagasse? (snicker)<br />Am i cocky about this?.. yes.. persona?l .. no.<br />Listen.. your whole statement about "the progressive, forward thinking America, will continue to work for a sustainable future." I mean come on.. are you serious? <br />If you think social programs and spending your way out of a re-session is forward thinking.. and sustainable.. then try to run your household by those guidelines and see how far that gets you.. or you could just reference a country that has used your progressive policies to improve and sustain their economic structure?... i will be anxiously awaiting that ...:)<br />What you have done now is generalize my whole post.. and all i was trying to...was convey..that Al Gore made and incorrect statement... with a little touch of sarcasm .. yes.. but factual none the less.<br />Keep your emotions out of the equation and you will see the logic in my words.<br />It has been fun though.. i admit.<br />"idiot America"..wow.. really.. your quoting a green day song.. LOL.. .. wow.. you got me.. im ..speechless.<br />Now if your a true independent thinker then you should be able to differentiate between right wing rhetoric and just plain old logic.<br />I am sorry my that logic annoys you.... im sure there is a green day song for that :)...omg.. im cracking up.. i mean.. seriously.. i have to go.. i think i just peed myself.. hahahahhhahahahah

[cptnjarhead]

P.S.. live is way to short..relax.. and enjoy it.<br />:) have a great day.

[cptnjarhead]

live.. oops.. i meant life.. darn these chubby.. right wing fingers... arrgggg.

[HeavyJim]

Gotta wonder why cnet has ignored the story on big al's buddies emailed getting hacked. I guess it could hurt the failed lawyer/politicians investment in global warming.

[cptnjarhead]

agreed..<br />... im guessing alternative energy stocks are going to plummet faster than the dollar....<br />and i believe Mr Gore owns the holding firm for these so called carbon credits.... looks like the shell game is up.

[akoifman]

What a con man! I am surprised he does not use a teleprompter. And he almost became our president. I hope he is going to state something concrete, so we are all going to see how it is going to change our lives to the better. Some of us do not live in the fantasy land, but when we hear practical stuff we can become believers. But this is too much from narcissist All to ask., Or reduce or dependence on foreign oil. I guess nuclear power is to obvious to state. :-).