A New “Must-Read” for Smart Grid Enthusiasts

This morning, I moderated a panel at the Computers Freedom and Privacy Conference entitled, “The Smart Grid: Can we be smart and private?” and focused on the privacy challenges and opportunities posed by the development of the smart grid.

We at FPF have been working on smart grid issues for the last year and were pleased to co-author a white paper, Privacy by Design: Smart Privacy for the Smart Grid, with Ann Cavoukian, Ontario Privacy Commissioner and FPF advisory board member.  The Commissioner is now out with a follow up to our initial publication; this one developed in partnership with Hydro One and Toronto Hydro, two of the major electrical utilities in Ontario.

The whitepaper, “Privacy by Design: Achieving the Gold Standard in Data Protection for the Smart Grid,” is a must-read for policy makers, businesses, media and anyone else who gives a hoot about the future of the grid.   As usual, Commissioner Cavoukian shows how business goals can be achieved in a manner that respects privacy.

Getting this right is essential, since data flows are critical to the success of the grid’s goals of effective power management, improving the environment, green jobs, economic savings and unleashing innovation in the home.

Jules Polonetsky