Presto, distributed on-demand smart grid.

I think simple subsidy like this really would blast this smart grid right off.  A smart grid switch device would be on the order of an internet phone module in sophistication and cost.  Pretty darn cheap.  

Maybe Vonage would add this feature to it's internet phone service and do the billing?  Relay switches in outlets to various appliances, like refridgerators, switched on/off by signals through the phone modem, and power monitering signals going onto the net.

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