Smart is not enough

The campaign to conserve electricity in the home needs to pay more attention to consumers and not just fix on the gee-whiz technology of smart meters, a US energy conservation advocacy organization says.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a report summarizing 57 pilot tests of household energy conservation strategies in this country and abroad, finding that annual electricity savings ranged from 4 to 12 percent.

The good news from the tests is that consumers can trim their electricity consumption significantly, but smart meters alone can’t do that. A good amount of consumer eduation is required.

To realize the potential savings in household electricity use, consumers must be provided a range of "positive reinforcement" through up-to-the-minute feedback showing them that their conservation efforts matter, the center said.

Many utilities are deploying smart meters for their own business purposes, ACEEE concludes while programs to enlist consumer support are lagging. The devices eliminate the need for meter readers, permit remote customer connections and disconnects, and speed restoration of service after storms.

The ACEE report does not give similar weight to proposals for real-time or time-of-use pricing -- controversial policies that would permit utilities to vary their electricity rates during the day based on the costs they pay for wholesale power. Some leading analysts argue that unless consumers see, and pay for, the true cost of power when demand peaks, they won't have the financial motivation to turn off appliances or shift thermostat settings to when prices fall.

But the center believes financial benefits may not be the right focus as much as appealing to people's sense of responsibility as energy consumers. Well, it depends on which part of the world you are living in! And yes, finally how aware the people are of the energy crisis.