The Central Lincoln People's Utility District, an Oregon-based electric utility, has signed an agreement with Landis+Gyr to deploy a voltage management solution designed to deliver improved grid-side energy efficiency.
The agreement establishes a demonstration project with Central Lincoln using EDGE CVR software, from DVI, in conjunction with Landis+Gyr's Gridstream RF advanced metering network to monitor and adjust distribution circuit voltage. Using detailed voltage information from Landis+Gyr meters, the EDGE software will allow the utility to reduce voltage levels, targeting the most efficient band of the required voltage range, thereby conserving electricity, according to Landis+Gyr.
"After recently completing our Gridstream advanced meter deployment, we've been investigating ways to extend the value of our smart grid systems,” says Bruce Lovelin, chief engineer/systems engineering manager at Central Lincoln. “Voltage management has a number of benefits as both a way to increase energy efficiency and improve power quality.”
The demonstration project was approved for funding by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and Central Lincoln is working with BPA to certify Central Lincoln's proposed method for validating voltage savings with the Gridstream-enabled EDGE solution.
