Eight states lead the way in advanced electric meters

More than five million advanced “smart” electricity meters have been installed across the US as part of the $787 billion Recovery Act bill passed in early 2009.

Nearly 90 percent of those new meters can be found in just eight states: Florida, Texas, California, Idaho, Arizona, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Nevada.

Speaking at a White House event on grid modernization, US Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu described the projects that have come — or are coming online — since the passage of the economic stimulus bill nearly two-and-a-half years ago. Those improvements have multiple benefits, he added.

“To compete in the global economy, we need a modern electricity grid,” Chu said. “An upgraded electricity grid will give consumers choices and promote energy savings, increase energy efficiency, and foster the growth of renewable energy resources.”

Advanced electricity meters give utility companies far more information about how, and how much electricity, is being used throughout their service areas. They also provide utility customers with real-time information about their energy consumption; the goal is to help people make well-informed decisions about how they use electricity.

Among the projects currently under way:

• Miami’s Florida Power & Light Company, which received $200 million in Department of Energy Recovery Act funding, is deploying an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution automation technologies, new electricity pricing programs, and advanced monitoring equipment for the transmission system. The goal is to increase reliability, reduce energy losses, and reduce operations and maintenance costs.
• Texas-based CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, which also received $200 million in stimulus funds, is working to depl0y a fully integrated advanced metering system and web portal access to over 2.2 million customers and installation of advanced monitoring and distribution automation equipment. The goal is to reduce peak loads, overall electricity use, and operations and maintenance costs while increasing distribution system reliability. As of April 30, 1.3 million smart meters had been installed.

The Department of Energy plans to create a data map that will let people submit data about their electricity use that their utility company provides them. This map will show where quality information is available nationwide based on voluntary consumer input. The department will work over the summer with utilities, consumer groups, state and local officials, other stakeholders and the public to design the website, set to launch in the fall.