Another year has passed and it seems that we are still seeing the same Smart Grid headlines. The first consumer shock over smart meters has past. Cisco and other large tech firms have announced their interest and involvement in the smart grid. Many new websites dedicated to helping bring to light the great potential of the smart grid have shown up on the internet.

However, it feels like we are still waiting for the big news or at least some news that propels us forward… We still do not have any set standards, we do not have the word from the major utilities that they will allow third party involvement and an open source approach towards the new smart grid. And possibly most of all we do not have a good solution for the potential cyber security risks that a recklessly designed smart grid may introduce. Without these answers and more we cannot expect many new companies to jump in head over heels. A smart grid run as todays grid is will mean complete domination by a few major players. They will make the rules and right the standards. The money will exchange only a few hands and the big players will maintain control of their grid. If this happens the smart grid will never evolve into a new way to use power. Instead it will just be more sales of more advanced equipment by the big players who are already involved.

Only time will tell, and who knows I may be writing a similar article to this one in twelve short months!