[mcgarnagle]

You don't make an online purchase when you open your tap to get a drink of water or flip on a switch for the lights.

Some systems need to be on the internet. cool story, but, why would critical infrastructure such as this need to be is still unaddressed by your comment.

[pjc50]

With a smart meter, effectively you do.

[sologoub]

Metering is not a critical/safety component of the grid. It's an important business component, but it does not by itself guarantee safety or preclude safety measures from kicking in.

There are other systems that are used to monitor load/draw on the grid and ensure safe operation.

Things like smart meters can be connected to the public net and if compromised just cause a headache.

Your critical safety system should not be connected to public networks or at least should have strong protections.

[mcgarnagle]

no, you don't. When I activate a light switch and consume more power from the grid I am not directly adding more coal/fuel to the fire/generator. This is where the warehousing analogy breaks.

Those numbers are looked at on aggregate to determine how much electricity needs to be produced to supply the population. They are directly tied into finance departments to generate your bill, sure, but that is an independent system from the production of electricity.

In the case of water supply, same thing. Just because I turn on my tap doesn't mean I am directly affecting the water treatment plant to treat exactly 1 more cup of water today.