Vermont is set to receive approximately $69 million in federal funding
to launch Smart Grid technology across the state. MRVPD director Joshua
Schwartz said that the Department of Energy's positive response to the
funding request was due to the coordination of the communities.
"It bodes well for the state," he said.
Smart Grid technology links electric meters on homes to the utility to
measure and monitor real energy usage in real time; the current manual
metering system is read on a monthly basis.
Another issue with the antiquated system, according to Schwartz, is the
utility's inability to get in front of big peaks in power and prevent
power outages.
Schwartz said that, under the current system, GMP doesn't find out about
power outages until the phone starts ringing. Smart Grid allows more
reliability and operational efficiency.
Schwartz assisted the Localvolts with the grant application that was
recently funded through the Vermont Community Foundation to purchase
energy monitoring equipment.
As a part of a small business outreach program, energy monitors will be
installed in small businesses for three months. Energy usage will be
used to determine recommendations for increased efficiency.
The idea, according to Schwartz, is to "get a group of information and
share with the public in a couple different businesses; the more we
know, the more we can do," he said.
Currently 8 percent of the country utilizes some kind of Smart Grid
technology. Users can log in to a website to monitor home energy usage
in real time. Because Smart Grid also monitors peaks in energy, users
will be able to minimize energy consumption during times of high peaks.
Schwartz said when Smart Grid comes to the state, "It will mean better
electric service and provide customers with opportunities to reduce
their carbon footprint and their electric bills. The addition of
high-speed information and communication technology to the electric grid
will change the way utilities operate and how customers interact with
them."
The $3.4 billion Smart Grid grant was part of this year's American
Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Vermont will be the first state to have
use Smart Grid technology throughout the entire state.
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