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Smart Grid

What is Smart Grid?

"Smart Grid" generally refers to a class of technology that is being used to modernize utility electricity delivery systems. These systems are made possible by two-way communications technology and computer processing. This technology includes "smart meters," which are digital meters that play a key role in enabling the two-way communications that characterize a smarter grid. The potential benefits are that a smart grid would enable utilities and their customers to track and manage the flow of energy more effectively (including the cost of electricity at a given time), curb peak demand, lower energy bills, reduce blackouts, and integrate renewable energy sources and storage to the grid (including electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle batteries). The smart grid also has the potential to increase energy efficiency, thereby reducing environmental impacts of energy consumption, and empower consumers to manage their energy choices.

RFP for Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation

Act 185 of the Vermont General Assembly’s 2022 Legislative session appropriated $8,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Service “to offer up to 70 percent reimbursement to municipal and cooperative electrical distribution utilities for the implementation of one or more systems of Advanced Metering Infrastructure that has been approved by the Public Utility Commission.”

The Public Service Department requests proposals from municipal and cooperative electric distribution utilities for investments pursuant to Act 185. This Request for Proposals outlines the Department’s objectives and selection criteria, and how funding is expected to be distributed.

Questions are due to the Department no later than November 17 (responses provided by the 21st).  Proposals are due on November 30, 2022 by 4:00 PM.

 

Smart Grid Investment Grant

In October 2009, Vermont's electric utilities were awarded approximately $69 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds through Smart Grid Investment Grants (SGIGs) to deploy smart grid technology. These targeted grants have been specifically directed to support projects that will increase efficiencies and decrease costs for both suppliers and end users and promote energy-saving choices for consumers while ensuring a more reliable and responsive grid when blackouts do occur, and a more flexible system to allow for the integration of renewable energy sources and storage to the grid, including electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle batteries. The funding and grants are intended to promote new energy investments based on open protocols and standards, and are matched by industry funding towards the costs of approved projects. In the near term, Vermont's SGIGs will provide approximately half the cost of $138 million in infrastructure improvements that utilities will make across Vermont.

eEnergy Vermont

The statewide Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) application, known as eEnergy Vermont, was filed by Vermont Transco on behalf of all Vermont distribution utilities, with the support of the Department of Public Service (PSD), Efficiency Vermont, and the Office of Economic Stimulus and Recovery, as well as Vermont's Congressional delegation. This group applied for and was awarded the SGIG money for Smart Grid implementation.

Docket 7307: Smart Metering and Alternative Rate Design

On April 18, 2007, the Vermont Public Utility Commission initiated a proceeding to examine the potential use and deployment of smart metering technology by Vermont's electric distribution utilities. The investigation also encompasses the possible use of alternative rate designs, including block rates, that could encourage energy efficiency.

Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) Plans

Five of Vermont's electric distribution utilties are leveraging Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) dollars, and are currently in the deployment phase of their Advanced Meter Infrastructure Plans by installing wireless meters, and in some cases wired meters, for their customers.

Opt Out

Some Vermont residents may not want to participate in the smart grid for a variety of reasons. The Department of Public Service (PSD) supports the ability for those customers to opt out, and filed Opt Out Principles in a proceeding under Docket 7307. Act 170 added 30 V.S.A. § 2811 (b), which prevents electric distribution utilities from assessing opt out fees. As the PSD acknowledged in its Opt Out Principles under Docket 7307, "The costs associated with a customer decision to opt out, as well as the steps needed to implement that decision, will vary from utility to utility." Some utilities may equip customers with old, analog meters, while other utilities may install advanced digital meters with limited communications capabilities. Each utility has information about their own specific opt out policies available on their website or can provide information by contacting their customer service department.

Reports and Publications