For example , a project to help Queens ' Flushing neighborhood will `` give us the capability to remotely control up to 26 underground switches , '' said Con Ed smart grid manager Thomas Magee . Non-disaster U.S. power outages up 124 percent since between 2001 and 2005 . U.S. electricity reliability low compared to some nations . Experts : `` Smart grid '' would avert blackouts , save tens of thousands . Austin `` Easy Button '' controls billions of U.S. thermostats .
Non-disaster U.S. power outages up 124 percent since between 2001 and 2005 . U.S. electricity reliability low compared to some nations . Experts : `` Smart grid '' would avert blackouts , save tens of thousands . Austin `` Easy Button '' controls billions of U.S. thermostats .