Hybrid energy is most commonly associated with cars but is not limited to transportation. Most electrical utilities deliver a combination of renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro; as well and fossil fuelled generation, including burning natural gas, oil and enriched uranium nuclear power. Every electric consumer purchases hybrid energy!
Theoretically, an open electrical grid can distribute energy generated in New York using fossil fuels to a consumer in California and you would not know it.
Electrical energy generated in the form of AC (alternating current) must match the actual consumer demand precisely or otherwise unused AC generated energy is wasted. In North America, megawatts of generated energy are wasted every day because the consumer demand does not meet the utility generation exactly. Excess utility generation generally goes unnoticed by consumers, but generation shortages cause brown outs, black outs and are a real problem for everyone.
Vast amounts of government and private money is focusing on a Smart Grid and is intended to improve the speed of information from the outer edges of the grid (our homes and businesses) to the generating sources (utilities) to better reduce the losses or wasted generation. A Smart Grid would also assist the utilities to identify exactly where the grid needs repair following storm damage or equipment breakdowns.
A Smart Grid starts with new digital revenue meters on your homes or business. The new Smart Meter electronically transmits electrical information to the utility in micro seconds, is great for the environment, great for the utilities, but will the consumer see a direct economical benefit?
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