The smart grid won’t be cheap, with estimated
costs running as high as $75 billion. Meters run $250
to $500 each when they are accompanied by new
utility billing systems. Who is going to pay the bill?
Is the average consumer willing to pay the upfront
costs for a smart grid system and then respond
appropriately to price signals? Will consumers and
utility companies get the promised payback if they
buy into smart grid technology? Might “smart
meters” be too intrusive? Would consumers really
want to entrust energy companies with regulating
the energy usage inside their homes? Would a highly
computerized grid increase the risk of cyberattacks?