THE $650,000 Smart Grid system integration project was approved at the Consolidated Commission on Utilities meeting last night.
According to a resolution presented to the CCU last night, Black & Veatch will be on hand to support the end-to-end integration of all Smart Grid systems. Contracting outside services is also necessary due to the “breadth and complexity of the project,” the resolution further stated.
The integration project will cover critical components within the system’s work stream including communications, network infrastructure, and data storage infrastructure.
John Benavente, Consolidated Utility Services general manager, said the approval of the contract will bring in technical experts who will be able to assist in addressing glitches that may occur within the system.
“That’s why we have this funding so we can have the expertise to be able to make sure that we integrate as seamlessly as possible,” Benavente explained.
Since GPA announced the start of the smart meter deployment, a total of 1,300 meters have already been installed, mostly in the Ypaopao estates and Barrigada Heights area.
Benavente also said GPA has been preparing for the informational hearing set for the smart grid project on Oct. 15, noting that health, safety, and other concerns put forward to the power utility have already been vetted and addressed in other locations where the technology has been adopted.
“As a matter of fact, there are currently around 200 million smart meters all over the U.S.,” Benavente said.
“But we want to communicate to the public and get all of these concerns that they may have about the project so that we can address those and move forward,” he added.
Around $33 million has been proposed for Guam Power Authority’s implementation of the Smart Grid project. According to the resolution presented at the CCU meeting, the power utility has received an initial indication that it will be awarded 50 percent of the proposed grant fund.
