The transportation sector in this country uses approx. 38% of the oil we consume, that includes lubrication. Buildings use the rest in one form or another. Most every IC engine can use Hydrogen either alone or in combo with even turpines or methane or most any other carbon based fuel and under most combinations the exhust comes out cleaner then it goes in. It seems to me that if the grid cant handle the excess energy demand it would be more prudent to decentralize energy production and start a new energy storage economy that would spark new jobs nation wide. The problem doesnt really lie with transportation but with buildings and stationary items. As is, most people in this country dont want to change, nor should they, energy demand will continue to rise for the rest of time, we must leave it to the engineers to symplify and utilize Earths natural energy who's abundance is unlimited as long as it keeps spinning.

forget transmission via wires.  As per very recent MIT Tech Review article on new catalyst for hydrogen production, make hydrogen on-site... and truck it using hydrogen powered trucks to distribution points... also use the hydrogen locally/regionally as much as possible... time to put the pieces together

Rooftop electricity is not only uncertain, but when available most of the time in not equal to the demand. When rooftop generation is less than demand, the difference (commercial quality - relaible - electricity) can be purchased from the grid.

EWPC makes consumers into pro-sumers, whose rooftop electricity above consumption may be sold into the system by making distribution a two way street. It is precisely that two way street that make distribution just like transmission, which is why I termed it transportation of electricity. By separating the transportation monopoly from the commercial transactions enables the utility grid become a smart grid to be develop at least costs.

With the above in mind, I will repeat my first post where you confused ground transportation with electricity (transmission and distribution) transportation.

“Open transmission access has fractured the transportation (T&D) system of US and Canada. System reliability is a long term proposition, not a short term one. All generation (including wind) competing resources in a region should be taken into consideration to develop a least cost transportation expansion plan. To do that you need a regulated transportation entity (with a responsibility to transport) as envisioned under the EWPC market architecture and design to enable commercial quality electric power.”

Under EWPC NERC role could go back to the old advisory modes as the smart grid transportation only utility becomes responsible for short run and long run reliability.

The rooftop and localized power solutions may be suitable for rural and less densely populated areas. However, smart growth areas have dense populations with high usage of public transportation (electric trains, and eventually buses?). These areas will need reliable power from multiple regions and the demand is certain to grow. Electricity wires are an extremely efficient transport mode for electricity. Converting the sun into electricity in grey-sky winter climates is far from cost effective or efficient. Wind is also not efficient in many areas of the U.S. See, for example, the DOE wind maps at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp showing large expanses of the U.S. being deprived of optimal wind resources. Electricity wire transport will be required for wind to provide power needs for various cities outside the "wind belts". Alternative energy is without hope if the electricity transmission grid cannot support areas of optimal wind, sun, and geothermal energy sources. Barriers to entry must be reduced.

- in case you're wondering - I am not affiliated with the electricity industry or any industry at all.