Raleigh-based Consert Inc. has signed a commercialization agreement with Wake Electric Membership Corp.
Under terms of the agreement with Wake Electric, Consert will provide the Consert Energy Management Solution, a network of hardware and software that uses wireless two-way communications to engage the participation of Wake Electric’s members and improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of electricity delivery and use. Through the Consert solution, Wake Electric is able to provide a more efficient and environmentally responsible electrical grid. Wake Electric will offer this solution for voluntary adoption to interested residential and small commercial members.
Wake Electric and Consert recently completed a successful eight-month smart grid technology pilot that achieved all intended goals including improvement of demand forecasting and managing peak loads while ensuring their members had the ability to control their comfort level and become more energy efficient. Pilot participants perceived decrease in energy use was 19 percent with an actual average of 6 percent during the pilot versus non-participants, and they responded favorably to the ease-of-use of the Consert solution.
Wake Electric sought to create a more efficient and environmentally responsible electrical grid. The goal was to improve demand forecasting and manage peak loads while ensuring their members were able to control their comfort level and save on energy bills. The need for a real-time Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, integrated control software, the ability to meet renewable legislation requirements and backhaul led them to implement Consert’s Energy Management Solution and test its effectiveness in a pilot program.
In addition to the operational benefits demonstrated through the Consert Energy Management Solution pilot program, Wake Electric was able to add value to its service offerings for members including:
- empowering them to gain knowledge and take control of their energy consumption in real-time -- 98 percent of members reported that they were more aware of their energy usage.
- achieving an average monthly energy savings.
- educating them on their energy usage in terms of their carbon footprint.
- offering web-based remote access and an easy-to-use, secure portal to manage their personal energy management programs.
Wake Electric Membership Corporation in Wake Forest, N.C. is a rural electric cooperative that provides energy and related services to more than 34,500 residential and commercial members in seven North Carolina counties.
