PORTLAND, Ore., July 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Portland General
Electric Company (NYSE: POR) today announced the launch of its
Smart Grid Test Bed, a first-of-its-kind-project that will
integrate smart grid technology on a scale never before attempted
in the United States. The project
aims to accelerate PGE's vision for a clean energy future through
partnering with customers in entirely new ways to decarbonize the
grid.
"We're using our Smart Grid Test Bed to deliver simple, seamless
solutions and working with customers to drive carbon out of our
system," said Maria Pope, president
and CEO of PGE. "We're determined to meet our shared climate and
equity goals."
PGE's test bed spans three distinct neighborhoods within its
service area. Through the test bed, the company is preparing more
than 20,000 customers to take advantage of special demand-response
signals as well as incentives for using smart-home technologies,
giving them greater control over their energy use and carbon
footprint.
With this pilot, PGE is building the roadmap to a virtual power
plant — one powered by customer devices and behaviors rather than
traditional generation — that will help address climate change,
empower communities in how they consume energy and create a more
resilient power system, all while saving customers money.
PGE will make this a seamless experience for customers by
helping them automate their smart devices, such as thermostats,
water heaters, electric vehicle chargers and batteries, to work in
concert with PGE as it operates the grid. During times when demand
for electricity is especially high in the region, customers will be
able to decide on an event-by-event basis if they want to
participate in reducing or shifting their energy consumption.
Additionally, the entire region will benefit as PGE integrates even
more renewable energy resources into its power supply without
compromising grid safety, security or reliability.
Customers in the test bed are all-in
Earlier this
week, residents in the test bed neighborhoods were automatically
enrolled into PGE's Peak Time Rebates, a demand-response program
that rewards customers for shifting their energy use during times
when temperatures are particularly hot or cold.
Auto-enrollment will help PGE achieve its target participation
rate of at least 66% — approximately ten times the national average
for similar programs. This will provide valuable insight into
customer interactions with the programs and opportunities to
demonstrate the benefits of adopting smart grid technologies at an
unprecedented scale. PGE will share these learnings broadly for the
benefit of the entire energy community.
Removing barriers to participation
Throughout this
multi-year pilot, PGE will offer different programs and incentives
to understand how best to partner with all types of customers, and
how to offer more equitable solutions. The pilot will explore
topics including:
- Structuring programs that best fit varying customer needs.
- Automating programs so they're convenient for customers.
- Working with partners on next-generation offerings.
Background on the project
PGE will leverage advanced communications capabilities and
distribution system upgrades within three Oregon cities: Hillsboro, Portland and Milwaukie. Three substations in these cities
will also be equipped with other smart grid technologies such as
new remote controls that increase system reliability and enhanced
safety and cyber security.
The test bed will accelerate the development of distributed
resources, which include customer-hosted renewables like rooftop
solar; flexible resources like batteries, thermostats and water
heaters; and electric vehicle charging. The project will rely on
PGE's unique ability to partner with customers.
The project was conceived and is being overseen by energy
regulators in Oregon. To
accelerate the concept, PGE developed the pilot with guidance from
the Rocky Mountain Institute, one of nation's top sustainability
consultants. The project is being steered by an advisory committee
of local and national subject matter experts from the public and
private sectors.
Quotes from mayors in support of PGE's Smart Grid Test
Bed:
"PGE's leadership in reducing energy consumption aligns
perfectly with our community's sustainability goals. This visionary
project at the Roseway substation serving the South Hillsboro neighborhood will also aid our
Smart City strategy by leveraging innovation and technology for our
daily lives. Residents and businesses can make the most of smart
thermostats, water heaters and appliances, rooftop solar energy
generation, electric vehicles and energy storage." — Steve Callaway, mayor of Hillsboro
"The urgency of rolling out cutting-edge technology that aims
for a carbon free near-future is critical. Milwaukie looks forward to exploring how this
technology not only moves us toward our goal of being a net zero
city by 2040, but creates resiliency in the face of more and more
violent storms. We are thrilled with the visionary attitude that
our partner PGE has embraced." — Mark
Gamba, mayor of Milwaukie
"Partnership and collaboration with Portland General Electric is
a critical part of our efforts to combat climate change and to make
our electricity grid and neighborhoods more resilient, livable and
efficient. The City of Portland is
excited to learn about smart grid implementation alongside PGE in
this important pilot program." — Ted
Wheeler, mayor of Portland
For more information, visit PortlandGeneral.com/SGTB.
About Portland General Electric Company: Portland
General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company
based in Portland, Oregon, serving
approximately 887,000 customers in 51 cities. For 130 years, PGE
has been delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy to
Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1
voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. With approximately
3,000 employees across the state, PGE is committed to helping its
customers and the communities it serves build a clean energy
future. For more information, visit
PortlandGeneral.com/CleanVision.
CONTACT:
Melanie Erdmann
503-464-8790
Melanie.Erdmann@pgn.com
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SOURCE Portland General Company