I’m no expert on networking, nor on energy distribution, neither is what I’m going to tell you here original.

Energy over IP makes sense, incredible sense. For one and one reason only.

Regulation.

Let me give you an example. Taxes on gasoline power governments. If oil industry dwindles, taxes fall, hence states fall. Alas, new sources of taxes have to be born. Electricity is the energy of the future. And it will have to be taxed. Same electricity, but different taxes, depending on types of use. If energy comes with a stamp, an IP header, governments will be happy.

Regulation has other uses, besides taxes, but one reason is enough.

What do you think?