NYSEG Installs First Smart Meters in Ithaca New York Demonstration Project
NYSEG Installs First Smart Meters in Ithaca, New York Demonstration Project
ITHACA, NEW YORK — July 20, 2017 NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), has begun installing its first smart meters in Tompkins County, New York as one of the initiatives in its Energy Smart Community project. More than 12,400 customers will be among the first in the NYSEG service area to gain access to the benefits of smart meter technology. The company selected the City of Ithaca and surrounding towns in Tompkins County as its first Energy Smart Community to launch its smart meter installations and a host of programs and projects linked to New York's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative.
Advancing technology is driving change for our industry and our customers, said Keith Lorenzetti, Program Director for the Energy Smart Community. Across the U.S., energy companies have installed more than 65 million smart meters to provide better service and more choices for their customers, and we will be able to deliver those same benefits to our customers through the Energy Smart Community.
The new metering system will serve as the foundation for giving customers more choices to manage their energy needs and spending, while helping the environment by reducing their carbon footprint. The company has also invested in related smart grid technology as part of the Energy Smart Community project. The lessons learned through the demonstration program will be used to guide the roll-out of smart meters and smart-metered-enabled services to all NYSEG and RG&E customers over the next few years, pending approval by state regulators.
The company developed the Energy Smart Community for the benefit of customers and appreciates the support received from many community leaders and organizations.
Ithacans are known for our energy and our smarts, and our desire to be responsible stewards of the environment. This makes Ithaca the perfect place to serve as a model Energy Smart Community. We know that knowledge is power, and we're excited these smart meters will give us the knowledge we need to make powerful choices to reduce our energy consumption, said Mayor Svante Myrick, City of Ithaca.
This is an exciting day as we take the first steps toward the transition to a modern grid and building an energy future. It's important for the health of the planet and its inhabitants, said Rosalyn Bandy, Energy Smart Community Liaison for Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The new meters, which communicate over a wireless network, will eventually provide NYSEG with two-way communications to its residential and commercial meters, and enable many customer benefits. Customers will have access to detailed usage information to track, manage and control their own energy use. NYSEG will also introduce innovative rate structures and programs for conservation and energy efficiency later this year.
For information about the Energy Smart Community and smart meter installations, customers can visit http://ccetompkins.org/esc, or call 800.925.1559, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or send an email to energysmartcommunity@nyseg.com.