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
YES!!
My mother has an electric meter that can be switched off remotely when the power company needs to conserve. It's used during the summer when demand is high, and I think it only switches off the air conditioner for no more than one hour.
Will this new system do that in Owasso?
Quote from: Ed W on August 11, 2010, 08:17:57 PM
My mother has an electric meter that can be switched off remotely when the power company needs to conserve. It's used during the summer when demand is high, and I think it only switches off the air conditioner for no more than one hour.
Will this new system do that in Owasso?
It is capable of it.
Quote from: sgrizzle on August 11, 2010, 08:44:46 PM
It is capable of it.
And you know this how?............... oh yeah, you would know this. :-\
My wife will have a fit if they cut off the A/C......................... :o
They will hear from Sibel, oh by the way my wife's name is Jo. But they will not want to hear from Sibel.
I am not entirely sure what it will turn off for what amount of time. But I don't think turning off your AC for an hour is going to happen. Sometimes if there is a power interruption the next few seconds can mean the difference between blackout and keeping the power on while power redirects. I would imagine things like your dryer, pool pump, refrigerator might get turned off for a few minutes.
I believe it would also take some wiring changes to the house to turn off selected items.
Quote from: Red Arrow on August 11, 2010, 09:56:30 PM
I believe it would also take some wiring changes to the house to turn off selected items.
...unless it also employs Carrier Current Switching within the home or business, then the meter would send signals to addressable modules plugged into outlets. Large items like central air compressors and pool pumps would need to be hardwired, so there would have to be some motivation for a homeowner to pay to have that done (like lower rates).
Yes, the smart grid would be capable of shutting off devices, but as mentioned there is more work needed to be able to select individual devices.
The main reason being not just blackouts/brownouts, but because you would be able to use appliances when most affordable. Large commercial customers can get variable-rate plans and then watch the rates and turn on or turn off facilities and equipment based on those rates. Smart grid houses can then buy smart grid appliances. If you had a compatible dishwasher for example, it could say "It will cost $3.02 to run this load of dishes, continue?"
As far as shutting things off, it will be awhile before we get there and there will be things you have to agree to before that happens.
A lot more than adding a box would have to be done to be able to shut off individual devices.
Quote from: Weatherdemon on August 16, 2010, 01:29:54 PM
A lot more than adding a box would have to be done to be able to shut off individual devices.
The idea is that the devices will be manufactured with the techonology in them.