National Grid has unveiled plans for a smart grid demonstration in the Syracuse area of upstate New York, which it says will inform future development of a smart grid on a wider scale.

Under the programme, 39,400 homes and businesses will receive smart meters to provide information about energy usage, as well as tools to help reduce energy costs and emissions. Some homes will have programmable thermostats and other devices installed.

“The backbone of the new, clean energy economy is going to be a reliable smart grid system that will allow customers to better manage their energy use and costs and be compatible with new technology such as home solar energy generators and plug-in hybrid vehicles,” says US president of National Grid, Tom King.

The trial is in line with New York State’s Energy Plan, which aims to reduce state electricity use by 15% by 2015, which King says signals a shift away from centrally generated and controlled electricity.

“The new model is one in which energy is integrated at a local level taking advantage of renewable energy sources and reducing overall usage,” he says.

If approved by New York Public Service Commission, the programme will be implemented over 2-3 years.

For further information:
www.nationalgridus.com/
www.nysenergyplan.com/

Related stories:
National Grid US plans three-fold expansion of energy efficiency effort (10-Nov 2009)
US energy providers switch on smart grid pilots (1-Apr 2009)
New York Governor targets energy efficiency (8-Jan 2009)
New York pledges to cut electricity usage by 15% by 2015 (25-Jun 2008)