‘SmartPower’ system years away from Fort Smith area

It could be as long as 7 years before new technology being tested by Oklahoma City-based OG&E Energy Corp. is made available in the Fort Smith region — if at all.

OG&E, which provides electric power to 765,000 customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas, recently announced the successful completion of the initial phase of a Smart Grid technology pilot project. OG&E selected the pilot program location in northwest Oklahoma City due to the area’s historically high number of service calls, approximately 10,000 per year, according to a statement from the company.

The utility is using a technology development by Redwood City, Calif.-based Silver Spring Networks. Using SmartPower monitors, OG&E was able to respond to service requests and remotely reconnect service during outages in less than 10 seconds. Previously, the process required a field representative to drive to the location then obtain a reading and complete any maintenance work on the meter in person.

Also, the SmartPower system allows OG&E customers to see their energy consumption and pricing in real time. According to OG&E officials, this knowledge leads to less energy used and lower bills for the customer.

“We would anticipate full system roll-out in about 5 to 7 years. This is dependent on regulatory approvals, successful next-phase implementation, economic conditions, etc.,” noted Gil Broyles, manager of corporate communications for OG&E, when asked when such a system might be used in the Fort Smith area.

Broyles said the company intends to seek a small rate increase to cover the initial cost of the system. However, Broyles said the system would allow for lower electric bills for many customers.

He explained: “OG&E is moving forward carefully to make sure this technology delivers all that we believe it can for our customers in helping them manage their electricity usage and reducing overall demand. We hope to gain permission from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to expand from our initial small-scale trial to an expanded pilot project. With Commission approval, we expect to gain critical information from the larger scale installation that will determine whether we continue to expand this technology throughout our system over the next few years.”