Copper, the Smart Grid & Electricity Storage

A key part of our 21st century transition from carbon to clean energy will be completing the build out of a SMART GRID and new forms of ELECTRICITY STORAGE to make our infrastructure more modern and efficient. The smart grid consists of computerized electricity meters, smart thermostats, big building automation systems. Also new monitoring sensors on power lines, machines, appliances and at key places on the grid. Copper plays a big role. It is found in power electronics, sensors, computer circuitry, substations, transformers, inverters, batteries, in electricity cables. Thousands of North American power companies are adding sensors to the grid at substations, wires on generating stations, end use consumption points and within homes or businesses. A smarter grid means two-way flows of clean electricity and also data communications. Electricity flow information feeds into big centres full of high-end computers and clever planners, who analyze it to ensure efficient grid operation and load sharing with other providers in real time, and do better future planning.