Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative has selected Tantalus to provide advanced metering infrastructure functionality for the approximately 40,000 meters on its system. The new infrastructure will replace an aging, one-way automated meter reading system. The Tantalus system is expected to be fully operational within the next three years.
The deployment will provide DETEC with an accurate and timely reading for every meter, incorporate remote disconnection of delinquent accounts and allow for accurate, small increment remote monitoring of voltage. The Tantalus system also introduces the capability to monitor outages, shave peaks through load management and provide advanced metering to accommodate a wide-range of future rate possibilities.
Tantalus is currently engaged in a strategic partnership with Texas Electric Cooperatives, a statewide association representing the interests of 65 electric distribution cooperatives and nine generation and transmission cooperatives across Texas. The alliance with Tantalus enables TEC to offer its member cooperatives - as well as municipal utilities - support for both wired and wireless platforms for implementing the energy-efficient and cost-saving attributes of smart grid technology. The DETEC installation marks the fourth Texas utility to select Tantalus for a smart grid communications system.
