Glendale Water & Power (GWP) started full installation of 120,000 electric and water smart meters on Dec. 9. Installation of smart meters will allow for two-way communication with the utility, and in the near future provide customers with real time usage data to help them conserve energy and water. Glendale Water & Power has contracted with Utility Partners of America to install the meters.
“With this project, Glendale Water & Power has reached a milestone and is changing the way we look at and use our resources. This new technology is the first step to a Smart Grid and transitioning GWP into the utility of the future by keeping pace with the increases in consumer related technology. The meters will greatly improve our services, help us develop optimal rate structures, and help our customers conserve energy and water,” said Glenn Steiger, GWP general manager.
In April, GWP conducted a test installation of replacing approximately 1,000 electric and 500 water meters. After testing the meters, the communication and the data management systems, GWP was ready to fully deploy installation. Customers received a letter and a postcard in the mail advising them of their upcoming installation.
Glendale Water & Power was the first utility in the nation to execute a contract with the Department of Energy for an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Smart Grid grant in the amount of $20,000,000. The receipt of this grant provides a significant portion of the $70 million cost of the City-wide Smart Grid project.
Updates of the ongoing Smart Metering project will be available on the utility’s website www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com and GWP will continue to send out bi-monthly updates to customers via the From the Source newsletter.
