Quick take: Slowly but surely, the general public is becoming aware of the grid as essential infrastructure and understanding of the need for renewal. Articles like this one help the cause. – Jesse Berst

Although Obama at first wanted a $100 billion "let's just do it" investment, he ultimately settled for $11 billion in "seed money." Despite bureaucratic snafus, those billions are gradually upgrading the grid behind the scenes, Grunwald argues.

"What people see are blackouts, and they assume nothing has changed. Not even a smart grid can send power through a downed line. But over time it will be more reliable and user-friendly on a day-to-day basis. Nobody notices infrastructure investments when they work, but that’s the point of infrastructure—and power."

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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.