Federal Smart Grid Grant for City of Tallahassee - Your Onw Utilities
President Barack Obama announced on October 27, the award of Smart Grid investment grants to modernize the nation's energy grid, spur development of renewable energy sources, stimulate the economy and create new jobs. The City of Tallahassee Utilities was selected to receive $8.9 million to further city efforts to use technology to help customers manage their power use and save money.
The federal smart grid grant will be used to build upon the major commitment by the Tallahassee City Commission to implement a Smart Grid system. The system includes the installation of 220,000 smart meters and the associated communications infrastructure, software for data collection to better manage power use by customers and the system overall, and smart grid devices for customers including smart thermostats, in home displays and other tools that allow customers to manage their power use.
In 2005 the City Commission directed staff to evaluate the potential for a smart grid system in Tallahassee. At that time, the concept was being discussed in the industry, but across the nation little movement was taking place. In March 2007, desiring to be on the cutting edge, the Commission directed staff to move ahead with development of the system. By the end of 2009, the city will have installed 220,000 smart meters as the backbone of the system. By the summer / fall of 2010, customers will be able to utilize the system to manage their power use through such options as:
- Changing your home or business thermostat via the web from any location.
- Choosing an electric rate that fits your lifestyle - for example, the option of a lower rate for using power in off peak times such as evenings or weekends.
- Evaluating your energy fitness, including how your home or business energy use compares to others.
Tallahassee will be one of the first communities in the nation to offer Smart Grid services to its utility customers. Upon completion of the metering and communications infrastructure this year, the City will operate the first electric, gas and water Smart Metering network in the nation.
"We started the investment in smart grid technology before it took off as a smart concept nationally," said Mayor John Marks. "With the receipt of this federal grant, we will be able to do even more to give our customers greater control, flexibility and cost-saving options with their utilities.
"With the support of the Tallahassee City Commission, I've had the opportunity to meet personally with agency officials in Washington D.C., and they understand Tallahassee's work as a leader in the Smart Grid technology," added Marks. "That's important for our customers as the bottom line is that they will be able to save energy, save water and save money."
Tallahassee was one of the 100 entities selected for the grant from 400 applicants. According to Reese Goad, Utility Business and Customer Services Director, additional benefits from the federal funding and the city's investment in Smart Grid technology and the city's Energy Smart Plus (e+) initiative include:
- Energy-saving pricing programs
- Greater customer choices
- Access to up-to-date customer account information
- In-home energy usage and information displays
- More efficient field operations - less staff and trucks in the field and less interruptions for customers
- Automated leak detection for water meters
- Improved theft prevention
- Access to billing and usage information via the web
- Interactive web-based tools such as online energy audits and much more
- More efficient power outage restoration - we'll be able to identify the locations of outages for faster repair
More information on energy audit appointments, energy-saving tips and other e+ programs or call Your Own Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).