Dive Summary:

• The Central Lincoln People's Utility District, an Oregon electric utility, has singed an agreement with Landis+Gyr that will deliver improved grid-side energy efficiency via a dynamic voltage management system.
• The project will use voltage information culled from Landis+Gyr meters to reduce voltage levels and target the most efficient band of the required voltage range, which will conserve electricity.
• The demonstration project, which was approved for funding by the Bonneville Power Administration, also allows for the automated control of voltage at the substation level using a SCADA system.

From the article:

The agreement establishes a demonstration project with Central Lincoln using EDGESM CVR software, from DVI, in conjunction with Landis+Gyr’s Gridstream RF advanced metering network to monitor and adjust distribution circuit voltage. Using detailed voltage information from Landis+Gyr meters, the EDGE software will allow the utility to reduce voltage levels, targeting the most efficient band of the required voltage range, thereby conserving electricity.

“After recently completing our Gridstream advanced meter deployment, we’ve been investigating ways to extend the value of our smart grid systems. Voltage management has a number of benefits as both a way to increase energy efficiency and improve power quality,” said Bruce Lovelin, chief engineer/systems engineering manager at Central Lincoln. “We look forward to demonstrating real energy and cost savings with this project.” ...