In an effort to reduce costs to customers and develop new "green" technology, National Grid has proposed to launch a program called "Smart Grid" in Saratoga County and the Syracuse area.
If National Grid can secure federal stimulus funds and a grant from the
New York State Department of Energy to support the $240 million
project, county residents could see construction beginning as early as
September, said Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Marcy L. Reed.
According to the National Grid Web site, a smart grid is "a network for electricity transmission and distribution systems that uses two-way, state-of-the-art communications, advanced sensors, and specialized computers to improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of electricity delivery and use. Smart grids also provide environmental benefits by helping to reduce energy use during peak hours and facilitating the connection and addition of distributed generation facilities and renewables to the grid."
The smart grid will allow customers to read exactly when and where they are using energy in order to better tell when and where energy is being wasted. The overall cost of the project is expected to cost $240 million with about $170 million to be used for infrastructure and equipment and the other $79 million for testing and research of new "green" technologies. The project was proposed by National Grid in response to a New York State public service commission request for projects suitable for federal stimulus funding.
"We are proposing this New York "smart grid" demonstration program because we believe the smart grid and the addition of green energy technology represent the future of the energy industry. While we are one of the first utilities to propose this type of program, ours is indeed a shared vision. Our approach is consistent with the vision developed within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (EDER), by the electric advisory committee which describes the smart grid as an enabler of the new energy economy," Reed said.
Vice President of Energy Management Martin Cook said National Grid customers who live between Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park will be able to take part in the program and receive a "smart meter" and can opt for additional equipment such as programmable thermostats and other data equipment that will read and manage energy consumption.
Customers can choose not to participate in the program if they so wish, he added.
There are approximately 42,300 customers in the area that the project will take place and are residential, commercial and industrial. Customer savings are expected to be about five percent of the total monthly electric and gas bill.
"We know our customers expect more, whether it is uninterruptable power, access to renewable energy or expanded use of energy efficiency resources. Through the power of action, National Grid strives to be a leader in energy management and work closely with regulators as they we plan the energy future of the states and customers we serve," Reed said.
For more information, call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272.
According to the National Grid Web site, a smart grid is "a network for electricity transmission and distribution systems that uses two-way, state-of-the-art communications, advanced sensors, and specialized computers to improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of electricity delivery and use. Smart grids also provide environmental benefits by helping to reduce energy use during peak hours and facilitating the connection and addition of distributed generation facilities and renewables to the grid."
The smart grid will allow customers to read exactly when and where they are using energy in order to better tell when and where energy is being wasted. The overall cost of the project is expected to cost $240 million with about $170 million to be used for infrastructure and equipment and the other $79 million for testing and research of new "green" technologies. The project was proposed by National Grid in response to a New York State public service commission request for projects suitable for federal stimulus funding.
"We are proposing this New York "smart grid" demonstration program because we believe the smart grid and the addition of green energy technology represent the future of the energy industry. While we are one of the first utilities to propose this type of program, ours is indeed a shared vision. Our approach is consistent with the vision developed within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (EDER), by the electric advisory committee which describes the smart grid as an enabler of the new energy economy," Reed said.
Vice President of Energy Management Martin Cook said National Grid customers who live between Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park will be able to take part in the program and receive a "smart meter" and can opt for additional equipment such as programmable thermostats and other data equipment that will read and manage energy consumption.
Customers can choose not to participate in the program if they so wish, he added.
There are approximately 42,300 customers in the area that the project will take place and are residential, commercial and industrial. Customer savings are expected to be about five percent of the total monthly electric and gas bill.
"We know our customers expect more, whether it is uninterruptable power, access to renewable energy or expanded use of energy efficiency resources. Through the power of action, National Grid strives to be a leader in energy management and work closely with regulators as they we plan the energy future of the states and customers we serve," Reed said.
For more information, call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272.
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