THIS coming October, the Guam Power Authority will start rolling out its first 5,000 smart grid meters to customers in parts of the central and northern villages, starting with Barrigada, Barrigada Heights, and Ypaopao Estates.
The advanced digital meter is a vital component of the Smart Grid (SG) Project, an initiative introduced by the power utility to help customers monitor their power usage – allowing them to make informed energy choices – by providing accurate information on energy consumption.
All GPA customers, including residential and commercial, will have their meters upgraded. GPA’s 2010 revenue bonds and a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy funded the project.
“By this time next year, advanced SG meters will be able to provide customers with daily energy consumption information,” stated John M. Benavente, Consolidated Utility Services general manager.
Benavente added: “SG meter technology will also provide accurate energy consumption, outage information and location as well as voltage quality to customers and GPA – the rollout of SG meters into the field is the first important step in this process.”
According to a GPA press release, customers will be notified of their meter installation by postcards in the mail as well as frequent media advisories of the location of SG meter installations.
GPA’s authorized SG meter installation contractor, APEX, will be installing the meters.
“Customers will only have to ensure that the location of their GPA meter is accessible and cleared of obstructions,” Benavente stated. “Installation will only take minutes. There will be a very brief interruption of power as the new SG meter is installed.”
Improvements
After the first 5,000 meters have been installed, an islandwide rollout for the remaining 50,000 meters will occur in December. It will take at least 15 to 18 months to complete the islandwide project, according to GPA Communications Manager Art Perez.
Perez further stated that GPA will be introducing a new Internet portal application sometime next year. The new application, he explained, will allow customers to check on their power consumption anytime.
Another vital part of the project, according to Perez, is to upgrade the power utility’s cyber security measures.
“Security is a big thing for this project. It’s a major milestone for us to achieve. That’s ongoing right now. That is one of the reasons why we have to go through so many steps in making sure that we comply with USDOE standards. USDOE is setting a standard for us to do this and that’s a good thing,” Perez explained.
GPA, he said, will ensure that a high level of security is in place to protect the utility and their customers all over the island.
