Smart grid projects are moving along across the U.S., and smart meter installations represent a huge part of utilities' infrastructure upgrade efforts. Since the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program began funding large-scale advanced metering projects, many of these utilities have made significant progress in deploying their new tech. Georgia Power, for example, has completed its smart grid project, serving over two million customers.
In light of these advances and accomplishments in smart grid development, Utility Dive has put together a list of companies making progress with their smart meter projects:
1. SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC
San Diego Gas & Electric received the 2012 POWER Smart Grid Award for completing its advanced metering infrastructure project with 1.4 million installed smart meters and 850 upgraded thousand gas meters. Special features of this project include granting customers access to their energy consumption information through the Green Button tool and opening 1600 electric vehicle charging stations connected to the grid.
2. CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC
In a July progress report, CenterPoint Energy revealed it had completed its installation project of over 2 million smart meters. The utility is still working on developing its Web portal, offering low-income household energy tracking devices and increasing customer education on the smart grid.
3. OKLAHOMA GAS & ELECTRIC
Over 600,000 smart meters have been installed in Oklahoma by Oklahoma Gas and Electric, the state's largest utility company. Serving 729,000 customers, the company is set on completing its smart grid by the end of 2012.
4. CITY OF NAPERVILLE
The city-operated utility of Naperville, Ill., has reached the 80%-point in its Smart Grid Initiative. The utility has installed 46,000 smart meters thus far, with the ultimate goal of installing 57,000 for Naperville residents and businesses.
5. GEORGIA POWER
Since beginning its smart grid project in 2007, Georgia Power has reached its goal of providing smart meters for 2.4 million customers. Customers now have instant meter reading services, but still have to wait for the energy management Web portal to be fully functional.
6. FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
Earlier this week, Florida Light & Power completed 75% of its smart grid, now actively serving nearly 4 million customers. The utility plans to extend its smart meter deployment to cover 4.5 million customers halfway through 2013. Although this grid is equipped with an advanced metering infrastructure, time-of-use rates have yet to be introduced on a large scale.
7. BURBANK WATER AND POWER
Burbank Water and Power completed its effort to install smart meters for all its commercial and residential customers earlier this year. The company has already launched its online management tool, allowing customers to view their energy usage, compare with neighbors and set personal goals for efficient consumption.
8. DUKE ENERGY
Duke Energy recently merged with Progress Energy to become the largest utility provider in the U.S., covering over 7 million customers in six states. Its largest smart grid project realized to date is in its greater Cincinnati service area, with 700 thousand smart meters currently installed.
9. PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES
After 3 years of pursuing a smart metering project, PPL Electric Utilities has integrated 60,000 customers into the smart grid of the Harrisburg, Pa., area. The utility plans to extend service to 70,000 additional customers and install automation technology throughout its grid by the end of the decade.
10. DTE ENERGY
DTE Energy has deployed 800,000 smart meters for its customers in Southeastern Michigan. The achievement brings the company closer to its ultimate goal over installing 3 million smart meters. The Michigan Public Service Commission recently endorsed smart grid technology, increasing DTE's drive to complete its smart meter initiative.
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