A survey in the USA – the SGCC Consumer Pulse Study – has found that although smart grids and smart meters will save consumers money, energy consumers are often unaware of other benefits that smart grids will bring.
The survey, conducted for the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC) by Market Strategies International, asked consumers about these potential benefits of smart grids and smart meters:
1. Ease of connecting renewable energy sources to the grid
2. Fewer power cuts
3. New energy cost-saving plan rates
4. Reduced number of investments in new power plants
5. Increased quality of power delivery
6. Real-time energy usage information
7. Accurate energy billing
80% or more respondents found each benefit to be important.
SGCC Executive Director Patty Durand stated: "We found that the most commonly-discussed benefits like cost saving and greater power reliability, while important, represent only a part of a broader spectrum of smart grid and smart meter benefits that are appealing to the average consumer. To achieve greater impact upon a diverse customer base, utilities should take care to bring these other benefits into their marketing messages."