An EPRI study, which updates an earlier 1994 report, estimates that the total cost over the next 20 years of deploying smart grid technology in the US will be between $338 billion and $476 billion. The report goes on to say that the benefits, greater grid reliability, integration of solar rooftop generation and plug-in vehicles, reductions in electricity demand, and stronger cybersecurity, will deliver $1.3 trillion to $2 trillion in benefits. Most of the investment will be in electricity distribution systems.
The report estimates that 70 % of the total investment will be required to upgrade the substations, lines, poles, meters, billing and communication systems which are responsible for disrtibuting power to consumers. The study assumes that there will be 10 million plug-in electric vehicles in operation by 2030.
20 % of the total investment would go into the high-voltage transmission grid, expanding it and installing new equipment such as synchrophasors.
Intelligent home networks and devices would require about 10 % of the total estimated investment.
Be the first to comment