While there are many definitions, an easy way to understand the smart grid is to think of it as an electric infrastructure enhanced with a two-way communications network that allows consumers to better control their electric usage and enables the utility company to use cleaner sources of fuel ...
People often confuse the terms “smart grid” and “smart meters.” The two are not the same. A smart meter is a component of the smart grid. A smart meter is a digital device that records electricity usage on an interval basis usually every fifteen minutes or...
According to PEPCO, there are a number of short and long term benefits of its AMI network: Short term benefits: Provide customers with enhanced energy information through PEPCO’s online My Account service, enabling them to better manage their energy use and costs...
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The Office of the People’s Counsel (“OPC”) welcomes you to its smart grid education web site. OPC is committed to providing residents timely and straightforward information about the changes currently underway regarding how electricity service is provided. Additionally, OPC is charged with educating consumers about emerging issues in the utility industry and how they impact consumers. The smart grid is certainly one of the biggest changes in the District of Columbia’s utility landscape as this change in infrastructure touches each and every consumer. This section of our website was created to introduce District of Columbia residents to the smart grid PEPCO is in the early stages of deploying.
OPC realizes the success of the smart grid is directly tied to whether consumers change their consumption behavior. So, this website is a vital tool for both the Office and consumers. The site will answer questions such as what is the smart grid, why do we need it and how will consumers benefit from it. Additionally, the website explains how the smart grid was approved in the District of Columbia and provides a number of private, local and federal contacts with additional information about the smart grid. Last, and perhaps most importantly, the site tells consumers how their voices can be heard by the DC Public Service Commission whose responsibility it is to make important decisions about the smart grid over the next few years.
Current Deployment Schedule
October 2010 – December 2010
Installation of communications network should be complete by the end of 2010.
Installation of smart meters on all residential homes and commercial buildings will continue.
January 2011 – December 2011
Continued installation of smart meters throughout the city.
June 2012 – December 2012
PEPCO proposes to have 5,000 randomly selected consumers on the new rates proposed by PEPCO. The DC Public Service Commission has not made a decision on the proposed new rates that will accompany the new network.
2013
All residential consumers will be on the new rates.
2014
All non-residential consumers will be placed on the new rates.
It is important to note that once the smart meters are installed, they will only provide monthly meter readings. The new meters will not have full functionality until some point after the entire network is installed. OPC will keep you informed about the availability of full meter functionality.
