The city of Miami and utility Florida and Power and Light don't want to build any more fossil fuel power plants. Together they are spending $700 million adding smart grid intelligence that enables consumers to conserve energy so that they won't have to.

The city of Miami is working with GE, Cisco, FPF, and Silver Spring Networks to install smart meters and an information network based on Internet technologies. The Energy Smart Miami project can automatically turn down non-essential appliances and enable consumers to shift energy consumption to off-peak hours.

As part of the program, which is funded partially by federal stimulus dollars, 1,000 homes will receive the latest tools for monitoring their energy spending. Eric Silagy - FPL Chief Development Officer says the smart grid system gives consumers "the information to make the right choice" about moving energy consumption to off-peak. Through the trial FPL will also get a better understanding of how their customers consume energy.

FPL will be installing 1 million smart meters in Miami-Dade County that enable home energy use to be reduced when the grid gets squeezed for power. Consumers can volunteer to have their thermostats respond to power price fluctuations to minimize their cost. FPL also will expand its plug-in hybrid fleet to 300 vehicles and install 50 charging stations.

The program -- which is contingent on receiving funds from the federal government, is expected to add 250 jobs per year.