Smart Metering Tackles Problems

In a move expected to reduce as much as 240 megawatts of electricity demand, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) has received funding from the California Energy Commission to install real-time electricity meters at more than 3,400 businesses.

Free to all participants, the smart metering system is expected to reduce electricity bills by 15% and free up enough energy to power 240,000 households. The program enables businesses to manage and forecast energy loads in real-time; calculate bills in detail, based on when power is used; and monitor usage via the Internet.

Wireless connectivity can transmit outage and power usage data via satellite to LADWP's communications center. The information can be relayed in minutes to pager-toting employees.

Randy Howard, LADWP's manager of commercial services, explains, "The new metering technology puts real-time power consumption knowledge in the hands of L.A. businesses."

Commercial and industrial customers with peak electricity demand of 200 kilowatts or greater are the program's targets. These customers typically include manufacturing facilities, large retail outlets and office buildings that consume more than 40 percent of the LADWP electricity load.

Solid-state electric meters are to be used, coupled with a smart metering solution. LADWP began installing the real-time metering system at Los Angeles businesses in August, with the project expected to be completed by May 2002.

Note that the system will allow LADWP to capture, process and transmit outage information, as well as customer meter data. In addition to customer usage patterns, it gives LADWP the intelligence it needs to identify system performance issues.

For more information about Spectrum Integrated Meter Systems from Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution circle 455 on the Reader Service Card. For more information about the SmartMeter System from SmartSynch, circle 456 on the Reader Service Card.

From Pure Power, Spring 2002.