Mar 31, 2009 5:32 pm US/Eastern
Manage Your Electricity Usage On Your Computer
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
When Mark Guerard of Worcester logs on to his home computer and watches TV, he's using energy and spending money. But within the next two years, he could be able to log on to save energy and money with the "Smart Grid" pilot program launched by two of New England's biggest utility companies, National Grid and NStar.
The utility today announced plans to build a
Smart Grid in the northwest section of Worcester that will give 15,000 customers in its pilot program more power to choose how they use electricity.
NStar will have 3,000.
Smart Grid is a nationwide initiative to modernize and upgrade the country's power grid system, which is struggling to keep up with all of the advances in technology.
Read: Smart Grid: An Introduction (.pdf)
What does Mark Guerard think about the idea of having more power to manage his power? "I'm interested in finding out how much power is going to waste and seeing how much we can save," he said.
The plan was announced at Clark University where Worcester and state officials joined National Grid executives who say their Smart Grid could remotely detect and fix problems or re-route energy around them, give customers real time data on usage and allow renewable energy to be added to the grid more easily.
The Smart Grid program will link existing automated meter reading equipment with Internet service, so customers will have two-way communication through their computers with their electric company.
It will allow them to view and monitor the energy consumption in their homes or businesses.
One of the things the Smart Grid would do is monitor energy usage and production from a windmill at Holy Name School in Worcester. "We are encouraging among consumers a consciousness so that they can understand how they use energy and be more efficient," said Lt. Gov. Tim Murray referring to the pilot program and the "Green Communities Act" legislation that prompts it.
Old electric meters would be replaced with "smart meters" after the state review process concludes. "We expect it to conclude, most likely, some time later this year," said Ian Bowles, Secretary of Energy and Environment.
National Grid says the program could be up and running nine months later. A spokeswoman for the utility says the Smart Grid could save customers using it about 5 percent on their bill, or about $70 a year.
It will cost ratepayers across the state about 50 cents a month to pay for the program at first. The cost would then be expected to decrease.
The Smart Grid program is a requirement of the
Massachusetts Green Communities Act.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments