VisionShopsters has released a new report about the advantages of WiMax and 4G technology for smart grid build outs. The report stated that with 4G tech, smart grids will be cost effective for power companies to monitor production and consumption.

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded billions of dollars in smart grid grants while regulators have lagged in providing standards for the industry. Power companies should look to telecommunications companies to take advantage of federal dollars for smart grid deployments while saving money on operating expenses. Deployment could enable utilities companies to offer wholesale and retail 4G service, lessening the cost per household.

Concerns about smart grids include the security and the reliability of technology and the potential for harmful interference to take down the network. The report also analyzes a BPL-based smart grid deployment costing $1,000 per household reached. The research found that a mobile 4G network could have been deployed at a cost of $440 per household.

Countries are building smart grids fairly regularly. Venezuela recently contracted Proxim to launch smart grid services in their country. Due to lack of regulation, it could be a while before we see smart grids launched in the U.S though.

A smart grid with WiMax can be deployed at half the cost of broadband over Power Line via off the shelf solution from equipment providers like Alvarion and Proxim. Additional revenue can be generated through telecom services supported by smart grid applications, providing utilities with costs savings through instant meter reading and other mobile workforce applications.

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