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Idaho smart grid projects

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Idaho Power smart grid program

Idaho Power Company’s (IPC) smart grid program includes customer systems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), distribution automation, and advanced monitoring equipment for the transmission system. The AMI and customer systems portions provide 475,000 smart meters to nearly all of Idaho Power's residential and commercial customers. Enhanced billing and online energy monitoring systems provide detailed energy use information to help customers better manage their consumption and bills. Smart meters enable IPC to increase its offering of existing time-of-use rates aimed at lowering customer electricity costs in addition to lowering peak load. Peak load is also managed through direct load control devices on participating customers’ irrigation systems. IPC is implementing automated feeder switches in Pocatello, Idaho, to improve the reliability of its distribution system. To improve transmission system visibility, IPC is installing phasor measurement units, which increase monitoring capabilities and improve reliability. Advanced applications include enhanced forecasting of renewable generation and short-term demand enabling improved load and generation balancing as renewable power supplies are added to the system. Get details >>

Pacific Northwest smart grid demonstration project

Battelle Memorial Institute is collaborating with utilities, universities, and technology partners in a smart grid demonstration project across Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, spanning the electrical system from generation to end-use, and containing all key functionalities of the future smart grid. This demonstration will validate new technologies; provide two-way communication between distributed generation, storage and demand assets, and the existing grid infrastructure; quantify smart grid costs and benefits; advance interoperability standards and cyber security approaches; and validate new business models. More than 20 types of responsive smart grid assets will be tested across six regional and utility operational objectives at 15 unique distribution sites operated by 12 utilities. Get details >>

Avista Utilities’ smart circuit project

Avista Utilities’ smart circuit project in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho aims to reduce energy losses and improve reliability and efficiency in the electricity distribution system while reducing the need for new generation facilities. The project includes upgrading the distribution system by automating the management of the distribution grid and installing a rapid communications and monitoring infrastructure. New switches, capacitors, and sensors are being installed in substations and distribution circuits across the project area. This equipment provides automated regulation of power quality, rapid response to grid disturbances, and improvements to distribution reliability. A radio and fiber optic communications system integrates real-time data from grid sensors with the grid operator’s distribution management software platform. The upgrades reduce the need for truck visits for system maintenance and operations and reduce costs and emissions. Get details >>

Energy news and trends in Idaho

Idaho Falls Power will deploy Elster's EnergyAxis smart grid solution as a key component of its advance metering infrastructure project. .According to Elster, EnergyAxis will automate smart meter data collection for Idaho Falls Power's electric customers, enabling faster demand response, improved load control and voltage conservation. Read more from Energy Business Review >>

Avista submits 2011 Electric Integrated Resource Plan

Upgrades to existing natural gas and hydroelectric generation plants, adding new renewable resources, and enhanced energy efficiency measures are the highlights of the 2011 Electric Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that Avista submitted today to Washington and Idaho state regulators. The plan details projected growth in demand for energy and the new resources needed to serve customers over the next 20 years. Read more at MarketWatch >>

Trouble for Idaho renewables

This hasn’t been the best of months for wind and solar projects in Idaho, what with the PUC hitting the brakes on no fewer than 14 wind projects while utilities and renewables developers accused each other of dealing in bad faith over wind and solar contract negotiations. In an Oregon case with ramifications for two of Idaho’s electric utilities, the Oregon PUC has questions about the huge amount of coal-fired generation in PacifiCorp’s energy portfolio. Read more at Sun Valley Online >>

Blowin' in the wind; What's the future of area wind farms?

Wind-rich east Idaho has attracted a plethora of developers in recent years, and, as a result, wind turbines now dot several of the local horizons and carry the promise of many more to come.  Bonneville County has approved requests for at least six wind farms in recent years, two of which are already in operation. Power County has approved two wind farms, which are both set for completion by the end of the year. Bingham County has approved at least four wind farms, and Bannock County has approved one. And even Shoshone-Bannock tribal officials are considering the idea of placing up to 90 wind turbines on the reservation in the next few years. Read more from Power Engineering >>

Drive-by innovation: Solar Roadways venture attracts more money

Solar roadways? Seriously? When we first featured the Idaho electrical engineer building a prototype for solar road panels back in 2009, it struck us as an interesting idea if maybe a bit far-fetched. But Scott Brusaw had determination, and a $100,000 small business grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Read more from Smart Grid News >>