Several FCC leaders, including Chairman Genachowski and Commissioners Copps, Clyburn and Baker, traveled to Cambridge, MA, for a field hearing today at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on energy and the environment.  Chairman Genachowski noted that his father was an MIT graduate and he believes there is a strong relationship between broadband and energy.  The other commissioners echoed the theme of broadband’s importance from energy efficiency to economic recovery.

Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) was excited about the intersection of technology and energy, noting that “not one home in America had broadband when President Clinton signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act.  Then it was off to the races, creating capacity! Now we have a new vocabulary and many new jobs (thousands of which are in Massachusetts).  And, now we have a chance at a second revolution.”

Massachusetts’ Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles believes that a more efficient energy future is very possible and not that complicated, but will take a realignment of priorities.  The resulting efficiencies will lead to a net savings for consumers and for the environment.  Secretary Bowles shares a lot of information and tactics to reach a smart energy future on his website.

Peter Brandien, VP for System Operations for ISO New England, encouraged everyone to consider all of the possible uses of smart grid data.  “We can use the integration of existing technology out of utility substations and data plants to make better decisions of how to operate.”  Although excited about the opportunity, he believes we need to maintain security, as well.

Massachusetts Department of Energy’s Phil Giudice believes that the smart grid will help to maximize use of renewables and eliminate waste.  Even beyond emissions, he said, this is a good idea from an economic standpoint.  If we could build and customize loads according to demands and challenges, and even around peak hours, we could have a very efficient system, he added.

Dr. Jerrold Grochow, research affiliate of the MIT Energy Initiative, focused on challenges facing the smart grid, such as cybersecurity and privacy.  Dr. Grochow is now two months into an 18-month research project to identify key technical and policy challenges to evolving the grid.  He agreed that broadband-enabled intelligent grids hold tremendous promise, but noted that key concerns must be addressed.  Solutions include using energy audits and making sure sensitive data is encrypted.

Finally, Bruce Walker of National Grid described his vision of a smart grid to increase efficiency, security and reliability.  He believes we need a coordinated effort between both the broadband and smart grid communities to see this innovation reach its full potential and deliver benefits realized by customers everywhere.

The Commissioners asked the panelists how deep they feel the national broadband plan should go into details for smart grid implementation.  Panelists responded that although energy has evolved as very state-based, it would be good to have federal guidance for efficiency and uniformity.  Chairman Genachowski concluded the event by rounding up what he saw as the clear themes:  Coordination, transparency and universality.  NextGenWeb agrees — Coordination across the community of stakeholders, transparency with consumers and universality to maximize broadband’s many benefits in our daily lives.

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