Priya Donti
Harvey Mudd College
Project
Smart Grids: Policies, People, and a New Pulse
Germany,India,South Korea,Chile
In the face of global climate change, Smart Grids–intelligent energy distribution systems–are hailed among environmentalists as the solution to increasing renewable energy usage. However, the purpose and efficacy of this technology in different countries may depend on governmental and cultural contexts. In order to investigate how these contexts affect Smart Grid development, during my Watson year I will travel to countries in various stages of Smart Grid policy creation and implementation. There, I will explore policymakers’ motivations and strategies for planning their Smart Grids, as well as the local effects of these plans. I will also deepen my understanding of the influences on people’s views of Smart Grid technology and policy. By exploring the interactions between policies and people, I will gain insight into the dynamics of social change within a particular cultural context.