Smart Grid Technology in Austin, Texas

Austin now has the first “Smart Grid” in the country, covering one million consumers and 43,000 businesses. A smart grid is comprised of the electric grid, a communications network, and hardware and software all integrated to monitor, control and manage the distribution, storage and consumption of energy. Smart meters, programmable thermostats, and sensors located throughout the grid all upload live data about power consumption patterns, allowing Austin Energy to optimize electric distribution, efficiency and performance. Smart meters provide information about demand, sensors monitor strain on the grid, and programmable thermostats control air conditioning systems during peak demand hours.

The 410,000 smart meters installed at homes and businesses around Austin relay consumption data to the smart grid every 15 minutes. These smart meters provide information about supply and demand, as well as give accurate reports of failures during power outages.

Austin Energy’s 86,000 programmable thermostats are linked to the smart grid and receive updates about the grid’s electricity load, which they use to program air conditioning cycles to run minimally during times of peak demand. Not only does this reduce strain on the grid and help prevent power outages, but it greatly reduces the consumer’s electric bill, as electricity used during times of peak demand is charged to the customer at a more expensive rate.

Further upgrades to the smart grid that are currently being planned include real-time meter reads, remote service turn-on and shut-off, quicker outage restoration, communication with smart consumer appliances, and hybrid vehicle plug-in stations.

There are currently around 70 smart grid test sites throughout the country, including programs in Houston, Miami and Seattle. With Austin Energy’s commitment to get 30 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020, this type of smart grid implementation will make it easier to create and manage further energy efficiency solutions.