Net Metering

Definition

"Net metering allows power users to remain connected to the grid, and buy power from the grid when needed, and sell power back to the grid when surplus power is generated from devices installed at their residence, like windmills and solar panels."

Description

From Sam Rose at http://research.iftf.net/node/710

Widespread use of Net Metering could dramatically lower energy costs world wide. Widespread use of Net Metering could also efficiently use and distribute power from sustainable and environment friendly sources. Widespread use of Net Metering and local power generation could mitigate or diminish the security and economic threat inherent in centrally-produced power. Distributed production of power helps systems avoid cascade failures, like those witnessed in the 2003 North America Blackout. And, decentralized production of power makes it more difficult for human disruption of power infrastructure, such as terrorist attacks on fuel distribution, or on power plants themselves.

The Net Metering arrangement uses the public utility conduit as a platform for individual citizens to create an energy surplus commons of multiple local sustainable energy sources. The public utility governing body still presides over the energy grid, but individual citizens have a stake in minimizing their dependence on centrally generated power, by installing equipment that lets them generate their own power. People affected by terrorism threats to oil and energy supplies, and people who's existence is threatened by dwindling oil and natural gas reserves and pollution, have a stake in the problems solved by successful implementation of net metering.

If the net metering system were scaled up to a national widespread level, the users of the system would become interdependent on each other. System performance would depend on indivdiual users maintaining their equipment. But, individual results and energy savings would also depend on individual maintainence.

Net Metering would likely work best with utility companies that are publicly or cooperatively owned and governed. Private companies could decide to stop Net Metering at any time, and revert energy grid systems to one way metering." (http://research.iftf.net/node/710)

More Information

Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_metering

US Government Guidlines for Net Metering http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/netmetering.shtml