An Australian smart electric grid - Critical infrastructure for addressing global warming

Smart Grid systems (high performance communications and distributed intelligence overlaid on the 100+ year old electric grid) have the potential to be the single largest contributor to a solution for global warming available today. Electric power produces 35% of Australia's greenhouse gases and studies indicate that a Smart Grid could reduce total greenhouse gases by nearly 9%. Unfortunately, the focus of some utilities and regulators on installing so called "Smart Meters" (at an estimated cost of $2.7 to $4.3 billion for 100% rollout in Australia) may result in an increase in greenhouse gases rather a reduction.