While the current financial crisis continues to wreak havoc on many a wallet, residents in certain northwest Queens neighborhoods may be able to hold on to a few more dollars thanks to Con Edison’s Smart Grid pilot program.
Launched in August 2009, the $6 million, 18-month program aims to create a cleaner, safer, more reliable and efficient electric grid in New York City. The initiative monitors how various technologies work together while integrated in the underground electric grid, and enables Con Ed to quickly isolate any problems.
Part of the utility company’s plan is to install 1,500 devices that provide customers with automatic meter readings, while at the same time sending Con Ed quick notifications in the event of electrical service problems. The program has been running right on schedule, with 700 meters already installed as of Tuesday, January 26.
The Smart Building Technology, part of the Smart Grid program, is currently looking for 300 volunteers from Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside and Woodside eager to change their energy-consumption habits. Volunteers would receive an in-home display, detailing their electricity use.
“An in-home display can show customers how much electricity they are using in real time and, specifically, how much energy is being used by selected appliances,” said Sara Banda, a Con Ed spokesperson. “Essentially, it is a device that can be plugged into a wall, so you can pretty much have it anywhere in your home and it gathers information for the appliances that are also plugged in. It can then wirelessly transmit all the information over to the in-home display.”
According to Banda, Con Ed is reaching out to residents in targeted buildings by mail, explaining the terms of the eligibility requirements. Two of the necessary requirements include that volunteers have Wi-Fi access and that they are in good standing with the company.
With its pilot program running successfully so far, Con Ed has received $181 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to assist in the expansion of the Smart Grid into other areas of New York.
For more information, visit www.coned.com/publicissues/smartgrid.asp.
