The Future of Electricity

In 1880, Thomas Edison patented a system for the distribution of electricity that within 2 years was providing power through a grid to parts of lower Manhattan. How far have we come since then? According to this week’s guests, not far enough. This week on Sea Change Radio, host Alex Wise first talks to sustainability consultant Ted Howes who explains the direction utility companies should be taking to work smarter, not harder, and why this smart grid technology is meeting with some resistance. Then we hear from Danny Kennedy, the founder of Sungevity, one of the solar companies whose “Glo-bama” campaign successfully advocated for the re-installation of solar panels on the White House. He talks about the powerful statement that is made when a US president decides to install solar, or, in the case of Ronald Reagan, reject it.