SECO Energy Selects Sensus as Smart Grid Technology Provider
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Co-op will implement the Sensus FlexNet AMI system and electric meters
RALEIGH, N.C. - SECO Energy, one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation, has selected Sensus as its smart grid technology provider. Sensus will provide the Florida cooperative its FlexNet(TM) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) communications network and more than 172,000 electric meters equipped with remote connect and disconnect capabilities.
SECO selected Sensus after an extensive evaluation of smart grid technologies and a six-month pilot testing the FlexNet AMI network and 1,200 electric meters. The FlexNet system, which is based on open standards, is a point-to-multipoint wireless network communicating via FCC-protected spectrum. The solution offered the highest transmitting power of the technologies the co-op considered and enabled SECO to easily reach a widely-dispersed membership across seven noncontiguous counties.
"We spoke with a number of other cooperatives currently working with Sensus, and their positive feedback about the technology's performance and their relationship with the company played an important part in our decision," said Ben Brickhouse, director of engineering and IT for SECO. "Our experience with Sensus to date has reinforced the value of this investment and we are confident the smart grid program will deliver significant value to our members."
SECO anticipates the smart grid program will help reduce the cost of fuel and staff time required for manual meter reads and will provide additional savings by alerting the utility about meter theft and tampering. The FlexNet network will also help engineers monitor system endpoints and transformer and substation performance to improve overall quality and reliability of service.
SECO is considering future program expansion to include applications such as time of use rates and home area networking that will support members in their personal efforts for energy conservation. Meter installation will begin in July 2011 and is estimated to be completed within five to six years.
"The smart grid program SECO is implementing will help them improve customer service and reduce costs through operational efficiency," said Randolph Wheatley, vice president of marketing for Sensus. "The relationship provides a win-win solution for electric cooperatives and their customers and continues to demonstrate how the Sensus AMI system is scalable for utilities of all sizes."
About Sensus
Sensus leads in innovative and evolving technology solutions that enable intelligent use and conservation of critical energy and water resources. Sensus has led the discovery, development and implementation of technologies for the energy and water industries for more than a century. Water, gas and electric utility customers around the world benefit from the company's open, flexible products and solutions to help them optimize their resources - today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., USA, Sensus serves customers from locations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.sensus.com.
To follow Twitter updates from Sensus, please visit http://twitter.com/sensussmartgrid.
Contacts
Sensus
Linda Palmer
Manager, Corporate Communications
(919) 845-4021
(919) 259-5778 (cell)
linda.palmer@sensus.com
Largemouth Communications, Inc.
Amanda Manna
Senior Account Executive
(919) 459-6456
amanda@largemouthpr.com
