The Future of Everything Best of: How the grid is becoming more human-centric
Jul 18, 2025
Ram Rajagopal, a Stanford professor and fellow at the Precourt Institute, delves into the transformative shift from a centralized to a human-centric power grid. He discusses the innovative PowerNet concept, emphasizing how it will enable individuals to act as both consumers and producers of energy. The conversation highlights the importance of smart technologies in enhancing efficiency, privacy concerns, and engaging younger generations in sustainable practices. Ram also shares insights on using sensors for real-time monitoring and the impact of smart tech in dairy farming, showcasing energy efficiency advancements.
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Human-Centric Future Grid
- The grid is evolving from an infrastructure-centric model to a human-centric model centered on individual needs.
- Every user can become both a consumer and supplier of electricity in this new grid paradigm.
Need for Granular User Engagement
- Traditional grids lack granular engagement to balance power during crises like outages.
- A human-centric grid would engage users based on needs and compensation for flexibility.
Balancing Privacy and Smart Homes
- Detailed home energy data reveals appliance-level usage, posing privacy challenges.
- Local intelligence can process data privately and only share aggregate flexibility for grid services.