Smart Grid and Electric Vehicles Fit Together Hand In Glove

Here’s a wonderful article that explains how smart grid and the adoption of electric vehicles really depend upon one another.  Like so many of the other things we cover here on a daily basis, the question isn’t “Are we going in that direction?” but rather “How soon?” which itself is a function of “What is the calculus by which huge business interests that favor the status quo can be pushed into helping, rather than hindering, the effort?” 

The oil and auto giants – as well as the power utilities — have nothing whatsoever to gain by the paradigm shifts that are coming our way in terms of personal mobility (that reduces and finally eliminates the need for oil — and greatly reduces the number of cars on our roads), and distributed energy generation (that makes our utilities increasingly irrelevant).

So let’s go back to that question about the scenario by which these business interests get on board with a progressive energy future.  Does such a scenario exist?  Will they fight it to the very end?  Will they figure out how they can make a buck in the process — and only then get on board (pretending it was their idea all along)?  I’m guessing it will be some combination.

Btw, the only thing that affects any of this is public opinion and public demand for solutions that mitigate the ever-increasing damage that our current approach to energy and transportation is inflicting on our personal and environmental health.  The angrier you are, and the more loudly you communicate your feelings, the sooner something good will happen.