Cobb Electric Membership Corporation Chooses Sensus for Smart Grid Program


Raleigh, N.C. - Cobb Electric Membership Corporation (EMC), one of the nation's largest electric cooperatives serving the northwest metro Atlanta area and a four-county southwest Georgia area, has selected Sensus to deliver smart grid solutions to its nearly 200,000 members. The smart grid program will include the Sensus FlexNet(TM) advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology and smart meters for greater operational efficiency, automated hourly meter reads and support for future applications.

Cobb EMC chose to deploy the Sensus FlexNet system because it is the only AMI technology that communicates via a dedicated, FCC-licensed spectrum, ensuring secure and reliable data transmissions. In addition, the FlexNet technology can easily integrate with other utility systems to support distribution automation, load management, time-of-use pricing and an in-home energy use monitoring program for customers. The project, partially financed by a grant from the US Department of Energy, will also include Sensus iCon® and other legacy electric meters beginning with a 3,000 endpoint pilot program in October. Full installation will begin in early 2011 for a total of 193,000 endpoints.

"Partnering with Sensus enables us to provide a scalable, standards-based solution that will help us more effectively monitor and manage the distribution of electricity," said Chip Nelson, chief operating officer for Cobb EMC. "We will now be able to automate meter reads, removing an anticipated 30 trucks off the road, and leverage greater intelligence for applications such as proactive detection of outages."

Cobb has planned an extensive customer education program to support the transition. In addition to leveraging local media and their Web site to share detailed information, each customer will receive a letter shortly before their meter is replaced explaining the benefits and reasoning behind the smart grid program. The utility plans to follow-up with personal phone calls. The education program will also include brochures, door hangers and advertisements that provide additional information and resources for those with questions and concerns. As the utility moves toward implementing time-of-use pricing and load management programs in 2011, customers will receive information on ways to better manage energy use to reduce their bills.

"We are excited to partner with Cobb as they embrace proven solutions for more efficient management of energy resources," said John Stafford, vice president of sales for Sensus. "We trust our long-term partnerships with Cobb and more than 225 other utility partners in North America will further validate that the Sensus FlexNet solution is the leading catalyst for utilities to unlock recurring operational efficiencies and savings."

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.

iCon is a registered trademark and FlexNet is a trademark of Sensus USA Inc.

Media Contact

Linda Palmer

Manager, Corporate Communications

(919) 845-4021

linda.palmer@sensus.com

All Topics