Portland General Electric Co. (PGE) recently announced the launch of its Smart Grid Test Bed, a first-of-its-kind-project that will integrate smart grid technology on a scale never before attempted in the United States. The project aims to accelerate the vision for a clean energy future through partnering with customers in entirely new ways to decarbonize the grid.
The PGE's test bed spans three distinct neighborhoods within its service area. Through the test bed, the company is preparing more than 20,000 customers to take advantage of special demand-response signals as well as incentives for using smart-home technologies, giving them greater control over their energy use and carbon footprint.
With this pilot, the PGE is building the roadmap to a virtual power plant — one powered by customer devices and behaviors rather than traditional generation — that will help address climate change, empower communities in how they consume energy, and create a more resilient power system, all while saving customers money.
The PGE will make this a seamless experience for customers by helping them automate their smart devices, such as thermostats, water heaters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and batteries, to work in sync with the utility as it operates the grid. During times when demand for electricity is especially high in the region, customers will be able to decide on an event-by-event basis if they want to participate in reducing or shifting their energy consumption. Additionally, the entire region will benefit as the PGE integrates even more renewable energy resources into its power supply without compromising grid safety, security, or reliability.
"We're using our Smart Grid Test Bed to deliver simple, seamless solutions, and working with customers to drive carbon out of our system," said Maria Pope, president and CEO of PGE. "We're determined to meet our shared climate and equity goals."
Customers in the Test Bed are All-in
Earlier this week, residents in the test bed neighborhoods were automatically enrolled into the PGE's Peak Time Rebates, a demand-response program that rewards customers for shifting their energy use during times when temperatures are particularly hot or cold.
Auto-enrollment will help the PGE achieve its target participation rate of at least 66% — approximately 10 times the national average for similar programs. This will provide valuable insight into customer interactions with the programs and opportunities to demonstrate the benefits of adopting smart grid technologies at an unprecedented scale. The utility will share these learnings broadly for the benefit of the entire energy community.
Removing Participation Barriers
Throughout this multi-year pilot, the PGE will offer different programs and incentives to understand how best to partner with all types of customers, and how to offer more equitable solutions. The pilot will explore topics including:
- Structuring programs that best fit varying customer needs.
- Automating programs so they're convenient for customers.
- Working with partners on next-generation offerings.
Project Background
The PGE will leverage advanced communications capabilities and distribution system upgrades within three Oregon cities: Hillsboro, Portland, and Milwaukie. Three substations in these cities will also be equipped with other smart grid technologies such as new remote controls that increase system reliability and enhanced safety, and cybersecurity.
Ted Wheeler, mayor of Portland, said, "Partnership and collaboration with the PGE is a critical part of our efforts to combat climate change and to make our electricity grid and neighborhoods more resilient, livable, and efficient. The city of Portland is excited to learn about smart grid implementation alongside the PGE in this important pilot program."
"The urgency of rolling out cutting-edge technology that aims for a carbon free near-future is critical. Milwaukie looks forward to exploring how this technology not only moves us toward our goal of being a net zero city by 2040, but creates resiliency in the face of more and more violent storms. We are thrilled with the visionary attitude that our partner PGE has embraced." said Mark Gamba, mayor of Milwaukie.
The test bed will accelerate the development of distributed resources, which include customer-hosted renewables like rooftop solar; flexible resources like batteries, thermostats and water heaters; and EV charging.
The project was conceived and is being overseen by energy regulators in Oregon. It is being steered by an advisory committee of local and national subject matter experts from the public and private sectors.
"The PGE's leadership in reducing energy consumption aligns perfectly with our community's sustainability goals. This visionary project at the Roseway substation serving the South Hillsboro neighborhood will also aid our smart city strategy by leveraging innovation and technology for our daily lives. Residents and businesses can make the most of smart thermostats, water heaters and appliances, rooftop solar energy generation, EVs, and energy storage." said Steve Callaway, mayor of Hillsboro.
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