Silver Spring Networks, Inc. has been selected by Con Edison and Orange & Rockland Utilities to support its Advanced Metering Infrastructure plan for electric and gas customers. The program is expected to connect approximately 3.9 million electric and 1.3 million gas customers through the deployment of Silver Spring’s multi-application networking, data, and control platform. This advanced technology platform is expected to increase control and convenience, improve reliability, benefit the environment, and facilitate increased customer engagement in managing energy usage. While the initial phases of the program have been approved, the full plan is awaiting additional action by the New York Public Service Commission.
This secure communications network will provide Con Edison and O&R with data and insights into its grid, empowering customers to better manage their energy usage, and enabling advancements in reliability and customer service. For example, Con Edison and O&R will be able to better monitor and manage distributed energy resources to significantly improve outage detection and speed up restoration time, and enable grid operation at optimum voltage levels which will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The communications network will have the capability to enable distribution automation, the integration of sensing devices, and deployment of applications that will benefit customers throughout its service territory. The deployment of the AMI communications system and smart meter rollout is scheduled to begin in early 2017 and is expected to take five years, pending regulatory approval.