Non-disaster U.S. power outages up 124 percent since early '90s . U.S. electricity reliability low compared to some nations . Experts : `` Smart grid '' would avert blackouts , save billions . Comment:
Non-disaster U.S. power outages up 124 percent since early '90s . U.S. electricity reliability low compared to some nations . Experts : `` Smart grid '' would avert blackouts , save billions . Austin `` Easy Button '' controls tens of thousands of Texas thermostats .