New Energy Future In the News

Boulder is a smart city, so it makes sense that it should have a "smart" electric grid.

As Xcel Energy announced Wednesday, Boulder has been selected to be the nation's first "fully integrated smart-grid city." In the inimitable language of the energy industry, the smart-grid system will give customers a "portfolio of smart-grid technologies designed to provide environmental, financial and operational benefits." The announcement said the system would be "dynamic," "robust" and "optimized," along with some other nebulous but enthusiastic terms.

While the description of the smart grid lacks a satisfying degree of specificity, it does include a clearly articulated cost: up to $100 million, which will come from Xcel and other sources.

But what would a "smart house" on a "smart grid" actually do? Xcel says it could have a charging station for a plug-in hybrid car. Such a system could store energy, act as a backup generator during blackouts and even send power out to the grid.

A smart house might include smart appliances, which would sense conditions on the grid and turn them off and on as needed. And it might have a smart meter, which would tell consumers not only how much energy they're burning, but also how much money they're spending.

In practical terms, all this could mean cheaper and cleaner power, a more-efficient and resilient grid and less overall energy use. Some prominent people made that point Wednesday.

"The smart grid is a powerful tool to allow everyday people to manage their energy use and take individual steps to cutting global-warming pollution," said Amy Keegan, clean-energy associate for Environment Colorado.

"Xcel made the right choice in selecting our state for the first-ever Smart Grid City," said Congressman Mark Udall, the Eldorado Springs Democrat. "Ideally, this program will increase energy efficiency for the city, reduce energy costs for individuals and provide a model to be duplicated in the region and eventually throughout the country."

Sen. Ken Salazar, the Colorado Democrat, hailed the move as pioneering. "The smart grid will revolutionize not only our nation's electric infrastructure but also consumers' energy awareness."

Xcel CEO Dick Kelly said Boulder was chosen as the Smart Grid City partly because it is home to the University of Colorado and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is performing smart-grid work for the federal government. It is also home to some of the world's leading climate scientists and the nation's first carbon tax, and it is just down the road from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Boulder endures a great deal of criticism, some deserved but much not. The fact remains that this place has some endearing and enduring qualities. The power company's endorsement only underscores the point that this city has juice.

Clint Talbott, for the editorial board