October 22, 2009

Are Smart Grids Privacy Smart?

Public electric utility companies are installing new meter technology and offering smart meters to monitor customer consumption of electricity. Some utilities are offering lower utility rates in exchange for customers agreeing to the installation of smart meters. What might not be well known is the capacity of these new data collection systems to monitor electric utility use within a home or office space. This can include consumption of new appliances fitted with technology that would allow the monitoring their use inside homes and businesses. The move from an Internet of people to the "Internet of things" means that many appliances would come with unique Internet protocol addresses and wireless communication applications. How these devices might be used to collect information on their use, and who would have access to that information, and for what purpose is still unknown. The key to privacy protection is to control the collection, use, reuse, and sharing of personal information, which would include electricity use.

From Smart Grid to Big Brother? by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa Canada, October 14, 2009