Smart Grids Can Cut US Carbon Emissions by 12%

According to a report released last week by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), converting the U.S. electricity grid to a series of smart grids would have a significant impact on carbon emissions from utilities because the shift would change people's usage habits,

The reduction in electricity use, and the subsequent reduction in power plant generation, could cut the total carbon emissions from U.S. utilities 12 percent by 2030, according to the report, "The Smart Grid: An Estimation of the Energy and CO2 Benefits" (PDF).