Abstract

Indianapolis Power & Light Company’s (IPL) Smart Energy project is deploying distribution automation, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and customer systems assets to improve the operational efficiency of its distribution systems. Distribution automation assets include automated controls, relays, and reclosers, which are used to reduce operations and maintenance costs and restoration times. AMI assets include 10,400 smart meters, and customer systems include programmable communicating thermostats. Through pilot programs, IPL is determining best practices for peak demand management through pricing and the impacts of new technologies including electric vehicles and charging stations.