ComEd picks GE, Silver Spring for smart grid pilot

Commonwealth Edison put its stamp of approval on GE Energy and Silver Spring Networks today, in a move that could benefit ComEd’s 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois. The announcement was coupled by Silver Springs continuing its international expansion, adding two new Aussie electricity distributors today.

ComEd, a subsidiary of Chicago-based utility services holding company Exelon (NYSE:EXC) is recommending GE Energy and Silver Spring for its proposed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot, a smart grid deployment expected to empower customers to manage their energy consumption.

"We chose to work with industry leaders GE Energy and Silver Spring Networks to build the foundation of northern Illinois' own smart grid,” said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd’s president and chief operating officer in a news release.

ComEd filed a petition on June 1 with the Illinois Commerce Commission for the recommended partners to participate in the one-year AMI pilot, intended to evaluate how customers interact with the technology. If it gets the green light, 141,000 smart meters would be launched in 11 suburban areas and the city of Chicago.

ComEd said it wants to eventually launch a smart grid infrastructure in its entire 3.8 million customer territory.

GE Energy is expected to provide the smart meters, while Silver Spring Networks would provide its smart networking solutions for the electric grid. The GE smart meters are equipped with Silver Spring’s technology, which would allow ComEd to charge less for electricity used during off-peak hours. Consumers would then have the option of moving energy-intensive activities to times when rates are lower.

The pilot is part of a three-year portfolio of energy efficiency programs aimed a reducing energy consumption, peak load and carbon emissions, saving customers money and positioning Illinois as an energy efficiency leader, according to the release.

Australia's electricity distributors CitiPower & PowerCor Australia also picked Silver Spring today to provide the network to roll out a government-mandated AMI program.

The deployment, slated for completed in 2013, is expected to start immediately to network 1.2 million homes and businesses in Victoria, Australia. Silver Spring is providing the network infrastructure, devices and software for the program.

"This is the future of the energy industry worldwide, providing utilities and electricity distributors with the tools to achieve efficiencies and empower customers," said Scott Lang, Silver Spring's CEO in the release.

The move marks Silver Spring's continued expansion in Australia. In April, Silver Spring announced it plans to begin rolling out its smart grid technology on Sept. 1 with two Australian utilities, Jemena Electricity Networks and United Energy Distribution, which are also responding to AMI government mandates (see Silver Spring corrals currents in Australian smart grid).

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