Smart Grid 2012 Annual Report
A $4.5 million bond for implementing Smart Grid in Concord was approved at Town Meeting in April 2009.
Infrastructure Construction
The final work on the 110-mile fiber optic network throughout town was completed at the end of April 2012. Within weeks, CMLP fielded numerous calls from communication utilities looking to leverage Concord’s new asset for telecommunication services. Over the last several months the Town has been reviewing these requests and analyzing the potential benefits for the town.
At the time of this report, the Town has entered into one dark fiber lease agreement to provide redundant fiber access to Emerson Hospital. Concord is currently reviewing similar proposals to help stimulate local business and town services.
The Light Department’s deployment of the smart grid infrastructure reached majority completion in October 2012. Due to the cutting edge nature of the technology, we continue to make adjustments to the equipment layout as we learn the impact that foliage and topography have on the system.
Load Management
As we progress with the network improvements Concord Light continues to develop ideas for load management using the smart grid infrastructure to reduce peak demand with minimal impact on residents, while reducing power and transmissions costs for the town. Concord Light is currently converting load management customers' electric thermal storage heating (ETS heating) and electric water heaters to the smart grid's wireless, fiber-based system.
Concord Light has installed street lights per the new street light policy, and new controllers designed to augment the Smart Grid system have been installed on these lights. In 2013, Concord Light looks to establish a street lighting control policy based on the findings from the professional review of the Town’s outdoor lighting policy. Once conversion of existing load management customers is complete and street light controls are in place, Concord Light will then be able to start recording energy savings made possible from the smart grid system.
To also supplement the existing load control initiatives, a pilot program using smart grid to control volunteers’ central air conditioning that was planned for summer 2012 was further delayed due to technical problems with the smart grid thermostats and complications with the installation process on older homes.
Additionally a new electric rate was approved by the Light Board in June, 2011 for off-peak charging of electric vehicles and a time of use rate designed for the same purpose was recently approved by the Light Board. As of this writing, Concord Light has six (6) electric vehicle residential customers with charging stations and plans to install a town owned charging station by early Spring.
Smart Grid – Annual Spending Reports
The Annual Spending Report provides budget information on the Smart Grid project capital expenditures and bond money spending for the annual reporting periods:
Smart Grid – Frequently Asked Questions
Smart Grid – Presentation to Board of Selectman
Additional Information – Smart Grid Technology
Following is a list of some of the weblinks available for further information on Smart Grid technology:
Concord Light is partnering with NexGrid on Smart Grid solutions for load management and monitoring electric usage. Concord Light will also offer NexGrid's web-based portal for customers to manage their energy use and devices such as programmable thermostats from their mobile phones or PCs.
The Department of Energy has launched an interactive website designed to provide Smart Grid information. The website, SmartGrid.gov, features detailed answers to frequently asked questions on the smart grid, facts, and information about electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
"How Smart Is The Smart Grid?" On July 7, 2010, NPR (National Public Radio) interviewed Dan Delurey, president of the Demand Response and Smart Grid Coalition. The Coalition is a trade association representing companies offering programs to business and residential electric users that will take the load off the electrical grid during peak demands and emergencies. This is an interesting interview and explains Smart Grid in easily-understood language. To hear the interview: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128365808
And finally, links to Technology Review at MIT:
| 
