On November 9 ComEd began installing smart meters in the Chicago, Illinois area.  The utility plans to have 7,500 meters installed within a week as part of its advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) pilot program.  Once fully deployed 131,000 smart meters will be in place for one of the most comprehensive smart meter tests ever conducted in the United States.

ComEd is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States and has some 5.4 million customers.  In northern Illinois it provides electrical service to about 3.8 million customers, or 70 percent of the state’s population.

The one-year test will determine how AMI technology can be used to enhance service and encourage consumers to become more engaged in how they are using energy.  As a result of the effort, ComEd expects energy prices to drop and its carbon footprint to be reduced in size.

“This is the first step toward a more advanced electricity system that will provide customers with more information, more quickly,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO at ComEd.  “By providing daily usage information, ComEd is moving from an electricity delivery business model to a 21st century deliver and service model.”

ComEd’s smart meters are digital electric meters that are able to automatically collect usage data twice each hour and securely communicate that information back to the utility.  Customers will benefit with daily usage data that is accessible over the Internet while ComEd will be able to provide a higher level of customer service.  The utility will use the pilot project to gauge the overall benefits for its operations and the environment before it installs the technology for all ComEd customers.

Nine towns located within ComEd’s Maywood operating centre will have smart meters installed between now and May of next year.  These areas include Bellwood, Berwyn, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Oak Park, River Forest and Chicago’s Humboldt Park area.  The areas were selected because together they are representative of ComEd’s broad spectrum of customers.

Some participants in the pilot project will be selected to test a variety of enhanced energy management features including smart thermostats, alternative pricing plans, Web interfaces, home area networks, and in-home displays.  These smaller tests will help ComEd determine which features encourage the highest levels of participation.

The cost for the pilot has been placed at $69 million and will be passed on to all ComEd customers.  The average residential customer’s bill will increase by less than $5.00 a year in 2010 as a result.

“The results of this pilot will provide additional information to the Illinois commerce Commission and other stakeholders as we work together to develop a potential roadmap for statewide smart grid deployment,” said Pramaggiore.  “We are taking a measured approach in order to ensure we are delivering higher levels of reliability and providing customers unprecedented choice and control.”

Exelon Corporation (ComEd)
10 South Dearborn Street, 48th Floor
P.O. Box 805398
Chicago, Illinois 60680-5398
http://www.exeloncorp.com

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