Reponse to @EnergyKnowledge Inquiry of June 6, 2013

Hi @EnergyKnowledge: Austin Energy generally agrees with the poll responses from utility executives on the top benefits of implementing smart grid technologies as outlined in the Greentech Media story at http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/What-Municipal-Utilities-Want-From-the-Smart-Grid

We are developing smart grid systems that should be in place within a year aimed in large measure at reducing restoration time when power outages occur – which was the number one priority cited by the poll. Once our implementation is complete, for instance, meters will communicate outages to our energy control center without the need for customers to call-in the outage. Then, special communicating equipment installed throughout the Austin Energy electric system will identify the exact location of the outage problem and will isolate that small section of the system – restoring power to customers on either side of the outage within five minutes – even before repair vehicles roll. Currently, isolating outages requires manual system adjustments in the field. 

Other smart grid benefits (as pointed out in the poll) will include the ability for customers to better manage their energy usage through their smart phones or the Internet to better determine when they turn AC and heating on and off for maximum usage efficiency. It will also allow more programs in which customers can participate to help reduce the overall peak energy demand between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., thereby reducing the overall need for Austin Energy to purchase higher-priced power during  peak demand periods. Purchased power and the need for additional generation that result from increasing peak demand levels are two of the main contributors to higher electric bills.