The WOLF in pricing

The microgrid concept is generating a lot of interest, at least if we measure interest by the number of articles on the subject. But how much interest would there be if the generation and the microgrid were all to be owned by the same entity? Or if the energy consuming devices and the microgrid were all owned by the same entity? Would people be as interested if the grid and the generation and the consumers were a vertically integrated utility? At least some of the interest in the microgrid concept is related to the potential number of different entities that might participate in the ownership and operation of the generators and other equipment on the microgrid. The computer industry has long had the interoperability concept often called plug and play. The microgrid concept will allow greater interoperability on the electric grid, permitting generators to be placed in non-conventional places, such as having electric cars feed the grid from their owners' garages, not just be fed from the grid. But if we are to take advantage of this interoperability, we need ways to encourage participants, paying them handsomely to provide electricity when and where it is needed and charging them dearly when and where it is appropriate. Thus, the electric car may face a very low rate for charging in some locations at some times and may be rewarded with a very high rate for supplying power at other locations at other times. Instead of just "plug and play" that is permitted by the microgrid concept, we also need to be able to "plug and pay," where I emphasize the financial concept of "pay" instead of the engineering concept of "play."