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Smart grid projects

Powder River Innovation in Energy Delivery project

Powder River Energy Corporation’s (PRECorp) Innovation in Energy Delivery project involves the installation of new communications infrastructure for the distribution grid throughout the entire service territory in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. Three sets of upgrades include: 1) the addition of new microwave terminals and antennas to the backhaul network between operators and the distribution grid, 2) upgrades that allow key substations to establish radio monitoring linkages with grid operators, and 3) new equipment that allows the computer platform for grid control to help integrate the communications upgrades. By increasing the ability of operators to remotely monitor and respond to grid disturbances, PRECorp expects improvements in electric reliability and reductions in operating costs and emissions from truck rolls for site visits. Get details >>

PNGC AMI implementation project

The Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative (PNGC) is implementing a project that includes 10 distribution cooperatives. The cooperatives are deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) assets including smart meters and two-way communication networks. AMI enables automated meter reading, which reduces meter operation costs, fuel usage for truck rolls, and air pollution. Several of the cooperatives are deploying direct load control devices. The direct load control programs offer customers a way to lower their electricity bill and provide the utility with a tool to manage peak load. Get details >>

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Energy news and trends in Montana

Smart grid projects: the small and the mighty

No surprise that some of the world's biggest utilities are involved in pretty significant smart grid initiatives. You'd expect that. But what may raise an eyebrow or two are some of the smart grid efforts under way in places we seldom hear about. Like the Flathead Valley in Montana or the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea. Read more from Smart Grid News >>

Tendril to help with smart-grid test in Montana

NorthWestern Energy, one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest US, plans to enlist the cloud-based services of Tendril for its smart grid demonstration grant program. Read more from Green Bang >>

Montana Whitewater gets grant

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that Montana Whitewater of Gallatin Gateway will receive a grant to install a grid-tied photovoltaic system on their business buildings. Read more from KZBK >>

Why we need utility-scale renewable energy

It seems almost everyone loves small-scale renewable energy, the rooftop solar panels and backyard wind turbines that help power residential homes. Read more from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle >>

Winds of change

Since taking office in 2005, Gov. Brian Schweitzer has declared Montana to be the nation’s leader in wind power potential. The state has become one of the leaders in wind energy development over the last six years, moving up from a ranking of 50th in the nation to 18th. In the West, Montana leads in gigawatts produced with over 830,000 hours per year, which is more than the nine other states combined besides Wyoming. Read more from the Flathead Beacon >>