Bangor Hydro Electric Company Seeks Federal Smart Grid Stimulus Funds

Bangor Hydro Electric Company (BHE), an electric utility wholly-owned by Emera Inc., reportedly has submitted an application for federal stimulus funding to bring Smart Grid advancements to its electricity customers.

 

Company officials said that the company is requesting $4.3 million in grant funding for its proposed $8.8 million Smart Grid project.

 

More than $3 billion will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy in a competitive process for Smart Grid investments. The grants will fund up to 50 percent of the qualifying projects.

 

“Smart Grid investment is increasing at a rapid pace in the United States, due in large part to recent US Economic Stimulus Funds,” said Kim Wadleigh, vice president of distribution operations, information, and support services.

 

Wadleigh said that these funds will make it possible for Bangor Hydro to accelerate its plans to equip customers with the tools and information to make better-informed decisions about their electricity consumption and how to better manage their total energy bills.

 

Officials pointed out that if awarded funds, the company will be implementing rate trials that involve dynamic supply pricing for participating customers. Those who participate in these trial projects will be able to view their electricity usage through a web portal or select in-home display equipment and manage costs by lowering electricity consumption during peak pricing time periods.

 

According to Gradon Haehnel, manager of rates, customers who participate in the dynamic supply rate trial will see higher prices during peak time periods and lower prices during off-peak time periods.

 

“We believe that our customers will shift their electricity usage to off-peak time periods to take advantage of lower cost supply prices, and conserve more electricity when they have detailed information about how their individual electric appliances or circuits are actually using electricity. There is a lot at stake here with significant opportunities for savings,” said Haehnel.

 

Haehnel said that an additional benefit to lower off-peak pricing is the opportunity to use new electric technologies for home heating. These new efficient technologies can play a significant role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

 

He said that in Maine approximately 80 percent of homes heat with oil. As a result, Maine has the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the U.S.