Abstract

The Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative Smart Grid project (“ConnSMART Program”) involves the deployment of advanced metering and multiple pilot programs to introduce dynamic pricing to the customers of the four participating municipal utilities (Groton Utilities, Jewett City Department of Public Utilities, Norwich Public Utilities, and South Norwalk Electric and Water). The program aims to reduce customer electricity costs, peak demand, and utility operating costs. The program deploys about 22,000 smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) communication networks to: (1) allow customers to view their energy consumption at their convenience through an energy Web portal and/or an in-home display, and (2) allow the participating utilities to manage, measure, and verify targeted demand reductions during peak periods. The communication and data management systems are aimed to provide enhanced wholesale power purchasing and forecasting capabilities, and ultimately a reduction in the cost of service for customers.