The U.S. Department of Energy is investing in smart grid technology through its Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) Program, funding projects to upgrade electric grid systems across the country. Companies such as Duke Energy and CenterPoint Energy have received SGIG funding to pursue large scale projects costing hundreds of millions of dollars.
In a three-part series looking at a recent SGIG progress report from the U.S. Department of Energy, Utility Dive has already broken down the 10 projects receiving the most SGIG funding and the 12 states with the most SGIG-funded projects.
For our third rundown, we decided to see which of these projects are the most expensive overall. Here are the top 10:
1. DUKE ENERGY SMART GRID DEPLOYMENT
Who's doing it: Duke Energy Business Services LLC
Total cost: $688.5 million
Duke Energy found itself among a handful of utilities who each received $200 million from SGIG to put toward its smart grid goals. As a result, the company has initiated massive advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployments across Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Additionally, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina are getting distribution automation upgrades.
2. SMART GRID PROJECT
Who's doing it: CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
Total cost: $639.2 million
CenterPoint Energy's Smart Grid Project aims to provide over 2 million customers with AMI. New features include convenient access to personal energy consumption data and better analytical equipment for the company to set prices.
3. ENERGY SMART FLORIDA
Who's doing it: Florida Power & Light Company
Total cost: $579 million
SGIG funding is contributing to Florida Power & Light's large scale project to upgrade its current utility grid. When fully implemented, the company will be able to use automated grid functions to better communicate with customers, create new pricing schemes and reduce maintenance costs.
4. OPTIMIZED ENERGY VALUE CHAIN
Who's doing it: Progress Energy Service Company
Total cost: $520 million
Servicing Florida and the Carolinas, Progress Energy is pursuing its Optimized Energy Value Chain project to improve overall grid reliability with the installation of an AMI. In addition to creating more efficient systems for pricing and communication, this project will accommodate 600 electric vehicle charging stations.
5. SMART GRID PROJECT
Who's doing it: Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Total cost: $451.8 million
Over a million meters will be upgraded under Baltimore Gas and Electric's Smart Grid Project to provide customers with a new set of options to better manage their energy consumption. The company will offer peak load rebates, an online management portal and mobile alerts to customers using the new grid.
6. SMART FUTURE GREATER PHILADELPHIA
Who's doing it: PECO Energy Company
Total cost: $415,118,677
PECO Energy's Smart Future Greater Philadelphia project will support the deployment of AMI and household energy management devices. With these services, the company aims to improve grid efficiency and introduce better pricing programs.
7. POSITIVE ENERGY SMART GRID INTEGRATION PROGRAM
Who's doing it: Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company
Total cost: $357.4 million
The implementation of a smart grid, customer energy management tools and a consumer behavior study are all features of Oklahoma Gas and Electric's Positive Smart Grid Integration Program. In pursuing this project, the company aims to build a more reliable grid system.
8. SMART GRID PROJECT
Who's doing it: Southern Company Services, Inc.
Total cost: $330.1 million
Southern Company Services is working on upgrading grid systems for its customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi through its Smart Grid Project. The project is focused on improving the company's grid management and distribution facilities to allow for greater consumer and environmental benefits.
9. SMARTSACRAMENTO PROJECT
Who's doing it: Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Total cost: $308.4 million
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has received SGIG money for its SmartSacramento Project, working to improve the company's grid automation capabilities and upgrade data sharing systems to better inform customers.
10. NV ENERGIZE
Who's doing it: NV Energy, Inc.
Total cost: $275.8 million
NV Energy is taking on the NV Energize project to improve service for its Nevada customers. In addition to the widespread installation of smart meters, the project will integrate many functions of grid management to enhance operational efficiency.
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