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Recovery Act Smart Grid Programs

South Mississippi Electric Power Association

Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Associated Smart Grid Investments for Rural Mississippi

Abstract

South Mississippi Electric Power Association’s (SMEPA) smart grid project involves the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and covers the Generation & Transmission (G&T) Cooperative and five of its member distribution cooperatives: Coast Electric Power Association, Magnolia Electric Power Association, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, Southern Pine Electric Power Association, and Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association. AMI enables two-way communication between SMEPA and its member cooperatives’ substation meters and between the member cooperatives and their customers’ meters for more detailed electric usage information as well as improved outage detection. Automated meter reading enables the SMEPA collaborative to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Additionally, three of the member cooperatives (Magnolia, Southwest, and Pearl River Valley) are implementing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to enable improved reliability through increased visibility of distribution substations and circuits.

Coverage Map (Click on map to zoom)

Contact Information:

Roger Smith
Director Wholesale Services
SMEPA
rsmith@smepa.coop

David Blackledge
Manager Wholesale Services Programs
SMEPA
dblackledge@smepa.coop

At-A-Glance
Recipient: South Mississippi Electric Power Association (Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Associated Smart Grid Investments for Rural Mississippi)
HQ State: Mississippi
States Benefitted:
NERC Region: SERC Reliability Corporation
Total Budget: $61,318,005
Federal Share: $30,563,967
 
Funding Program:
Project Type:
 
Equipment:
Targeted Benefits:
  • Reduced Meter Reading Costs
  • Improved Electric Service Reliability and Power Quality
  • Reduced Costs from Distribution Line Losses and Theft
  • Reduced Operating and Maintenance Costs
  • Reduced Truck Fleet Fuel Usage
  • Reduced Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Pollutant Emissions