Discover the benefits of the Smart Grid
Realize the potential of the Smart Grid system
The PG&E Smart Grid Program is already delivering benefits to you. It has the potential to provide future benefits.
Find out more about the current Smart Grid and SmartMeters™
A major building block of a Smart Grid is the SmartMeter™. Our SmartMeter™ devices give you greater control over your energy use and costs. The updated meters allow you to monitor your energy use online and find out which activities are increasing your energy costs. View your projected monthly bill based on your current energy usage, and take action before you’re charged.
Some of the other benefits include:
- Track your energy use online. Use SmartMeter™-enabled tools to view your energy use by month, by day or by the hour.
- Receive energy alerts. Get notified by email, text message or phone when your electric use is moving toward a higher-cost tier.
- Create a pricing plan. Learn about rate options that help you control your energy use and expenses.
Find out more about the future benefits
Building a smarter grid can help California achieve a more efficient and reliable power grid. PG&E wants to revolutionize energy use for generations to follow. The Smart Grid can reduce our carbon footprint and give us more choices about how we use our energy. Explore the future benefits of a smarter grid.
Providing more reliable power
The SmartMeter™ program is the first step in creating a Smart Grid. PG&E can quickly identify outages and resolve other service problems through the deployment of SmartMeter™ devices. We want to prevent the need to visit your home or business to fix your issues.
Generating more efficient renewable power
Thousands of Californians already rely on the sun to generate their power. Using solar energy to power your home or business can lower your energy costs over time. Solar power also creates clean power, free of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Properly maintained solar systems can produce clean energy for up to 25 years. The Smart Grid can change the way we use and store renewable energy.
Using a mix of energy sources
Clean energy sources like wind and sun are key players in the PG&E energy mix. Our mix also includes hydropower, biomass and geothermal resources. Over half of the energy PG&E delivers to our service area comes from zero-carbon sources. Clean energy resources help us reduce our carbon footprint. The PG&E energy mix helps us become environmental leaders for the American energy industry.
Working with smart devices and smart homes
The SmartMeter™ is the first step toward turning our power grid into an intelligent, integrated network. PG&E believes the next steps are smart appliances and the smart home. The two working together can make a Home Area Network (HAN). The HAN gives you the ability to automate your home energy use. The SmartMeter™ connects to smart devices and provides near-real-time data to each device. While sharing this data, devices can automatically respond to grid conditions. In the future, we hope to enable a broadband connection to control exactly when and how our appliances use energy, from anywhere.
Reducing our carbon footprint
Electricity is the most easily controlled form of energy. Unfortunately, its generation is also the biggest single source of carbon dioxide emissions. With the Smart Grid, we have the power to greatly reduce carbon emissions. Everything about the Smart Grid is geared toward reducing our need for fossil fuel resources.
Paving the road for electric vehicles
Electric vehicles are continually being sold across America. The vehicles help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence. We need a smarter grid to support their increased use. PG&E is testing smart charging technology to aid in developing codes and standards. We’re partnering with national and international organizations, vehicle manufacturers, dealerships and customers, to help ensure that all electric vehicles charge and communicate through the same standards.
Creating smart job opportunities
Putting the grid into action can generate more than just cleaner energy. Tens of thousands of Smart Grid related jobs may develop over the next decade. A majority of the jobs center on:
- Power company headquarters.
- Hardware development and manufacturing.
- Software development and services.
California is the leading state in each of these areas as they pertain to the Smart Grid.
View how the Smart Grid and SmartMeter™ work together
Learn how the Smart Grid and SmartMeter™ work together to power a brighter future.
Learn more about the Smart Grid benefits
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is involved in various Smart Grid programs. Their findings state: “Over 20 years, the smart grid could save $46 billion to $117 billion through the avoided costs of power plant, transmission line and substation construction.”
NETL also reports that “By 2025, increases in energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation through the smart grid could save an estimated $36 billion.”
Learn more about the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
The EDF endorses the Smart Grid. The group states: “By making smart investments in a "smart" green grid, we can greatly reduce our use of dirty energy, improve air quality and the health of millions of Americans affected by dangerous air pollution, and advance our energy independence and economic growth.”