Get in on the smart grid party!

Developing countries are just as interested in the smart grid as developed countries. This YouTube video by IBM shows simply the attractiveness of a new utility system. Chinese subtitles included! Developing countries also would like to install electronic improvements to generation, transmission, distribution and end user systems to improve communication and interoperability. With bigger populations than the U.S., developing countries such as China and India could use the efficiency gains and "leap frog" over traditional systems. Like the installation of cell phone towers instead of land telephone lines, where it became easier to call on a cell phone in the middle of the Cambodian jungle than find an old fashioned telephone in a village, it makes sense to spend money on new infrastructure with the most up to date proven technology.

One question is how new technology from western countries would be transferred to the eastern countries. The Wall Street Journal wrote today that Duke Energy is considering working with China's State Grid Corp. on power transmission inside the U.S. Chinese utilities are interested in smart grid technology, which Duke has, and Duke is interested in China's experience with transmission lines. China recently has focused on building more ultra-high voltage lines and has a 1,000 kV AC line that is the highest-voltage system operating commercially anywhere in the world. These types of cooperative projects show the beginning of how both countries could implement a smart grid by sharing experiences and technology.