OWASSO - The Public Service Company of Oklahoma is launching a pilot project in Owasso that could help reduce people's electric bills.
The utility company is upgrading the current electric distribution system by installing a smart grid, which operates on a wireless communications network. Officials say the technology will reduce the number of power outages and make repair times faster.
"It has an automated sensor that allows the system to sense where the fault is and automatically reroute power around that particular fault," said PSO President Stuart Solomon.
The smart grid will also allow customers to see real-time energy usage through a touch-screen panel located inside their home. That device will be available as an option after the new meters are installed.
Solomon said Owasso was chosen because of its size and variety of customers.
The conversion process begins this fall and is expected to last 18 months. No date has been set for expanding the upgrade to other cities.
OG&E is also testing out the smart grid in Norman.
http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/13,000-customers-to-test-the-smart-grid