SMART GRID? The “smart grid” rollout appears to be having some problems. One example: “[L]ast year the [Dutch] rebelled against a proposed compulsory rollout of smart meters, on grounds that the equipment could reveal too much personal detail to utility company employees and expose citizens to wrong-doing.” They’re almost certainly right.

And then there’s the cost: “In England, the Department of Energy and Climate Change intends to see all households equipped with smart meters by 2020, at a cost of about $13 billion. The anticipated average saving to each household will come to $45/year.”

According to Google, there are roughly 25 million households in the UK. If the Brits equip those 25 million households with smart meters, at an average savings of $45/yr, they will recoup the initial investment cost in a mere 11-1/2 years ... around 2031.

Right now, the “smart grid” isn’t looking so smart.