Statement On Pepco's Smart Grid Program

For the past several months I have been working with PEPCO to bring this 21st Century state of the art green technology to Montgomery County. PEPCO has filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission seeking authorization to put a smart grid technology in parts of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. The various technologies will quickly detect power outages and will help homeowners use less electricity.

The demonstration program will have several innovative components, including sensors in feeder lines (proposed for the Woodacres substation area that runs from the Beltway to the Potomac River to Western Avenue and then north on Wisconsin Avenue). The sensors will enable PEPCO to more quickly track outages and have them repaired with greater speed.

Pepco’s demonstration program also would allow homes to voluntarily be fitted with “smart meters” that not only show how much power is used each month, but also when it is used. This can help homeowner’s better understand the energy consumption throughout the day and make adjustments as needed. The meters also can detect zero energy consumption helping PEPCO detect possible unusual situations that need investigation.

Some homes will have “smart thermostats” or “smart in-home displays” that can show power consumed since the last bill, the current price of power and provide additional message capability from the utility to the homeowner.

This “Smart Community” should result in fewer electricity outages, which have afflicted our homeowners and businesses for far too long, and produce lower utility bills. District 1 residents, our economy and our environment will all benefit from this program.

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