Quick take: One of our industry's long-time thought leaders believes how well countries do in smart grid could determine how well they do in global competitiveness. Massoud Amin, formerly of EPRI, is now director of the University of Minnesota's

I agree wholeheartedly, as I said in my piece "Electronomics: Reinventing electricity." Use the Comment form below to let us know your opinion. – Jesse Berst

The world's ability to fulfill the increasing global demand for electricity may depend on the smart grid, according to Massoud Amin, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he also heads up the Technological Leadership Institute, which is dedicated to connecting engineering, science, business and technology. In an interview with Government Technology Magazine, he stressed the need for "a self-healing infrastructure to ensure that [the] power grid can continue to operate reliably for businesses and consumers who depend on it."

Amin also cited microgrids as "wonderful examples of the 'think globally, act locally' principle."

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.