While talking to residents throughout the area over the past few months, I have spoken about the energy challenges the State faces in the coming months and years.  The storm of July 25 and Pepco's lackluster response in restoring power to hundreds of thousands of us sheds light on a new facet of this conversation—and the need for "smart grid" technology.

That's why today I am calling for the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) swiftly to invest in the implementation of “smart grid” technology.  The PSC will meet  this Thursday to decide whether a Maryland utility company's smart grid technology plan can go forward with $200 million in federal stimulus.

By identifying outages in real time, smart grid technology will increase Maryland utilities’ ability to provide efficient services during severe storms like the one on July 25 that left hundreds of thousands Marylanders without power, some for days. I believe smart grid technology can make a real difference in our lives but only if we begin investing in it. When the PSC meets this week, I hope they see the light. Smart grid technology will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and ultimately save Marylanders money on their power bills. It is a win-win for Maryland, and I hope the PSC will embrace a greener, more energy efficient future. The use of smart meters in homes offer real-time monitoring of energy usage and will save families an average of $100 per year per household. These meters have the capability to monitor electricity use, allowing power consumers and utilities to know when and how they are using electricity. 

The PSC’s Decision

Baltimore Gas & Electric’s amended “Smart Grid” proposal seeks to address concerns cited by the PSC, which rejected the company’s initial proposal on June 21.  If the PSC rejects the amended proposal, the Maryland company likely will lose $200 million dollars of stimulus funding for the project.  The PSC has scheduled a rehearing for BGE’s $835 million proposal for Thursday, August 5. In June, the PSC rejected BGE’s proposal to install 2.1 million digital gas and electric smart meters in residential areas, mainly because of upfront cost to consumers. BGE’s modified plan seeks to protect consumers by allowing the PSC to provide oversight and avoid spikes in base rates. BGE officials have estimated that installation of smart meters would save the company's 1.2 million customers $2.6 billion over a 15-year period.

Smart Grid Technology’s Potential to Predict Problem Areas

Power outages cost the Mid-Atlantic region around $9.7 billion annually. The storm of July 25  and Pepco's lackluster response in restoring power to hundreds of thousands brought smart grid technology to the forefront of local discussion. Repairs took days, even as Pepco officials called in over 400 crews from the Ohio and Pennsylvania area  to help the 185 local crews restore service. While the Montgomery County area boasts the third-densest tree canopy in the country, grid intelligence, not tree canopies, is the real issue. According to Pepco regional  president Thomas H. Graham, power companies today do not know there has been a power outage until a customer calls to report it. Investment in smart grid implementation will allow utilities to identify outages in real time, predict problematic vegetation, and reduce costs to consumers.

While smart meters are a first step, Maryland must continue to develop and support implementation of smart grid technology. With a comprehensive smart grid, power companies will be able to precisely identify customers with outages, efficiently manage assets, and monitor all facets of the electric grid.

To learn more about my ideas to protect our environment and other issues important to our community, please visit www.samarora.com/issues.