What’s happening
Utilities are investing in grid software, forecasting tools and control of distributed energy. Many grids still run on older systems not designed for two-way power flows.
Timing: LATER — roughly 5–10 years before this becomes structural.
Why it matters
A grid with more renewables and more electric devices needs to be smarter to stay reliable and affordable.
What would make it real
- Utilities manage millions of devices as grid resources
- Regulators reward software investment, not just poles and wires
- Common standards for devices and grid systems
What would kill it
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
- Slow utility adoption
- Regulatory models that reward building hardware instead