TOWN OF RUTLAND
PLANNING
COMMISSION
MINUTES
6-2-11
Commissioners Present:
Andrew McKane, Howard Burgess, Charles Vajda, Raymond
Leonard
He said the grid that
was built a century ago wasn’t built with the “information age” in mind. He
said the new Smart Grid technology could tap into the information, which is
available.
Mr. Kowalczyk said
the Smart Grid would be able to give CVPS information in near-real time. He
said this information would help utilities understand how the grid is operating
and will allow CVPS to improve reliability. He said CVPS would be better able
to size transformers more appropriately and control costs.
Mr. Kowalczyk said the Smart Grid is happening nationally. He said CVPS is
among the 100 utilities that have received Federal grants to deploy the Smart
Grid.
Mr. Kowalczyk said CVPS would be installing smart meter in 100% of their
service area. He said the meters would show power consumption, which will be
available to the homeowner and CVPS.
Mr. Kowalczyk said today if the power goes out CVPS must be informed that
it has gone off. He said with the Smart Grid, CVPS would know when power was
off or on at location in the distribution system.
Mr. Kowalczyk said by dispatching more efficiently CVPS would reduce
carbon it puts in the air. He said there would be great societal benefits. He
said the new technologies would help CVPS manage cost better.
Mr. Hackett told the Commissioners that all customers would receive a new
smart meter that would replace their existing exterior meter. He said the new
exterior meter would record data every 15 minutes.
Mr. Hackett said CVPS will conduct a pilot program in Rutland and will
place in-home meters in customer’s homes.
Mr. Hackett said by overlaying a communication system over the
distribution system it will allow for more automation, which would reduce cost.
Mr. Hackett said the Smart Grid would utilize distributed generation,
which would manage; solar and wind and traditional energy production.
Mr. Hackett said CVPS would use radio frequency technology, which is in
the same frequency as home electronic devices like computers and garage door
openers. Mr. Hackett said CVPS would have between 400 to 500 data collection
points along the distribution system to collect data.
He said the smart meter will help individuals better understand their
power usage and that CVPS would be offering different rate structures to customers.
Mr. Hackett said CVPS would begin installing meters I the Rutland area in
the fall. He said the in-home displays would be installed in the spring of
2012.
Mr. Hackett said customers could go to www.cvps.com/smartpower to get
answers to their questions about the Smart Grid.
Mr. Kowalczyk and Mr. Hackett answered questions raised by commissioners.
Mr. Leonard moved to close the meeting. Mr. Vajda made
a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Andrew McKane, Vice Chairman