I expect that would happen at the meter, eg some US utilities already charge by TOD, peak consumption, etc, etc...
Rgds
Damon[ Parent ]
With POUT the meter would know the difference between staple needs, the basic requirements of healthful living, and luxuries. Basically a RFID system built into classes of appliances, small electronics and systems.
An example a base rate for the household potable water well pump but tripling or higher rate for a luxury spa Jacuzzi-style hot tub water pump - and the meter knowing the difference between the households hot water heater and the auxiliary heaters in the hot tub. The list goes on and on, first ten CFL's are free, a built-in 'ripple' (cripple) control on high demands appliances, blah blah...
Incentives on participating in including this technology on the residential level would have to be legislated; California's wealthy enclaves etc. are likely targets.
I am certainly not enjoying the prospect of POUT - just commenting on it will be interesting![ Parent ]
I don't think such strong micro-management coercion will be welcome or (I hope) necessary.
But I agree that some sort of pricing or other signals, and possibly rationing, eg kWh/household/month, are needed to make people focus on the difference between "need" and "want", regardless of their personal wealth.
I'm reading Jared Diamond's "Collapse" at the moment, and it's sobering reading. We've been here before and you don't have to be a greenie hairshirt fundamentalist to see some real dangers.
