Last week, Utility Dive featured a list on the companies receiving the most funding from the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program (SGIG) to implement projects in their service areas. The program has affected states across the U.S., and some have more companies receiving SGIG money than others. Florida, for example, has more companies working on SGIG-funded projects than any other state.
Utility Dive re-visited the U.S. Department of Energy's progress report to compile the following list of states with the most SGIG-funded projects underway:
1. FLORIDA
Number of projects: 10
Who's doing what: The City of Leesburg has initiated the Leesburg Smart Grid Investment Project to deploy advanced meter technology, educate consumers and improve the automation capabilities of the current electricity distribution system. Florida Power & Light Company, which receives the most SGIG funding out of all power companies servicing only Florida, is taking on a project to build an advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and improve smart meter monitoring technology.
2. CALIFORNIA
Number of projects: 8
Who's doing what: The SmartSacramento Project, conducted by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, is using more than $100 million in SGIG funding to build an AMI system equipped with technology that improves its automated functionality and integrates electric vehicle charging stations. The San Diego Gas & Electric Company has used its funding to improve communication systems with customers and reduce outage durations.
3. GEORGIA
Number of projects: 6
Who's doing what: The Cobb Electric Membership Corporation is implementing a program to install an AMI to improve two-way communication, reduce peak-load usage and improve the utility's outage notification system. Another project, taken on by the Georgia Systems Operation Corporation, aims to improve monitoring, cost analysis and energy control systems by upgrading software.
4. IDAHO
Number of projects: 6
Who's doing what: In Idaho, power companies such as Avista Utilities and Idaho Power are pursuing a variety of projects with SGIG funding. These include installing a fiber optic communication system, bringing energy usage information online and integrating renewable energy.
5. MASSACHUSETTS
Number of projects: 6
Who's doing what: Companies in Massachusetts are being supported by SGIG to take on unique projects. Honeywell International, which receives the most funding, is developing an automated demand response system that uses varying methods to counter peak load usage automatically. Also aimed at improving automation, NSTAR Electric Company's Grid Self-Healing and Efficiency Expansion program is building a distribution grid that instantly fixes circuit problems.
6. PENNSYLVANIA
Number of projects: 6
Who's doing what: PJM Interconnection is pursuing a multi-state project including Pennsylvania with over $200 million in SGIG funding. This project focuses on installing syncophasors to collect energy usage data and improve overall grid efficiency. In greater Philadelphia, PECO is deploying an AMI, providing energy usage devices to households and improving the management of distribution systems.
7. TEXAS
Number of projects: 6
Who's doing what: With the goal of reducing overall electricity usage and maintenance costs, CenterPoint Energy's smart grid project is developing communications methods to make better sense of energy consumption data. El Paso Electric is working to improve grid performance for relatively isolated customers.
8. INDIANA
Number of projects: 5
Who's doing what: Duke Energy Business Services is working on a large scale project to install AMI systems in five states, including Indiana. It has the specific goal of improving grid efficiency by designing remote platforms on which consumers can easily share and keep track of their energy usage data. In Indianapolis, the Power and Light Company is working on the widespread installation of smart meters and smart thermostats.
9. LOUISIANA
Number of projects: 5
Who's doing what: Cleco Power has begun its AMI project with the goal of improving two-way communication and exploring new electricity servicing possibilities. Entergy New Orleans is focusing on improving service for low-income consumers by allowing them to evaluate AMI effects such as peak-load rebates and load controls.
10. OHIO
Number of projects: 5
Who's doing what: The Smart Grid Modernization Initiative is a project being taken on by FirstEnergy to implement AMI systems based on thorough analysis of consumption data. The Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator is pursuing a syncophasor installation project across twelve states including Ohio to improve the efficiency and reliability of its grid system.
11. NORTH CAROLINA
Number of projects: 5
Who's doing what: Progress Energy Service is using $200 million worth of SGIG money to build a smart grid equipped with automated monitoring and advanced communication devices. Duke Energy Carolinas is working on installing phasor measurement units throughout the data collection infrastructure of both Carolinas to improve grid management.
12. WISCONSIN
Number of projects: 5
Who's doing what: The American Transmission Company is pursuing two smart grid projects in Wisconsin to upgrade communications and management technologies. Madison Gas and Electric is working on building an AMI for Madison residents complete with new distribution management software, a cellular communications system and twenty five electric vehicle charging stations.
Would you like to see more utility and energy news like this in your inbox on a daily basis? Subscribe to our Utility Dive email newsletter! You may also want to read our "The top 10 Smart Grid Investment Grant Program funding recipients" list.
