ARLINGTON When President Obama announced $3.4 billion in new federal grants to upgrade the nation’s power grid last month, he did so amid many references to 21st-century technology. A “smart” power grid based on new technology will be essential to meeting the nation’s energy needs over the coming decades. But if such a critical implementation is to happen smoothly, decisionmakers would be wise to learn from past experience to ensure that the new grid does all that is required of it.

Dominion’s push to accelerate implementation of smart-grid technology is a welcome development for both consumers and the environment. A more intelligent metering system should increase efficiency, thereby lowering bills and reducing emissions. Homeowners and businesses probably will not notice any difference—the power company isn’t going to shut off your reading lamp, for instance. If anything, the grid will improve reliability, because (among other things) it will enable the system to know when your power’s out before you pick up the phone to report a problem.

Dominion Virginia Power will outfit thousands of Charlottesville-area homes with high-tech energy meters intended to help residents and businesses reduce energy use. The $20 million “smart grid” program will involve installation of 46,500 wireless smart meters in Charlottesville and parts of Albemarle County. As of Monday, 24,000 had been installed.