Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, a southeast Texas utility that provides service to 14 counties in the state, is one step closer to a full smart grid deployment thanks to a recent Proof of Concept from Siemens IT Solutions and Services, Inc.
Siemens demonstrated for Bluebonnet how smart meters could be fully integrated into the utility’s operations and showed that the tech-giant’s smart meter Integration and Enablement (SMIE) solution can successfully harness information in real time to allow for much better management of the power system.
“This is a big step forward in achieving Bluebonnet’s goal of a fully sustainable grid,” said Paul Maier, general manager for the Energy Vertical division of Siemens IT Solutions and Services, in a news release “The Proof of Concept we’ve delivered validates the important connection between a smart meter at a member’s home or business with the entire SAP driven operational infrastructure of the utility.”
“This technology will have a profound impact on energy consumption by enabling the consumer to dynamically alter their usage of electricity,” Maier continued. “In the future, it has the potential to deliver dramatic energy and operational savings throughout the grid.”
Siemens’ SMIE solution is the integration of eMeter’s Meter Data Management System and SAP’s ECC 6.0 and Enhancement Pack 4. The result is a true “meter-to-bill” integrated system for Bluebonnet. Siemens and eMeter have partnered to sell and install eMeter’s EnergyIP software which allows utilities to purchase a cutting-edge Meter Data Management (MDM) solution built around proven SAP technology.
“This solution from Siemens allows us to fully realize the significant investment we’ve already made with our smart meters,” said Mark Rose, chief executive officer of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. “Smart meters realize their full benefits when the data generated through them is able to be used to optimize energy usage and increase customer satisfaction.”
“This solution allows the smart meters to send energy usage data directly to our operational infrastructure and securely share that information between us and our members,” Rose continued. “The result is a far better informed consumer and a far more efficient use of energy.”
Rose went on to explain how the new system will allow the utility to offer innovative pricing programs including discounts for off-peak energy usage, time-of-use billing and generation of renewable power at the home. Excess power generated by members of the cooperative can sell it back to Bluebonnet.
Other supported functions include comprehensive usage monitoring in real-time, remote connect and disconnect of service, automated business functions, and enhanced customer service. Bluebonnet will be able to generate savings from the enhanced operational efficiency.
“It’s a major step forward in our implementation of smart grid technologies,” said Rose. “Bluebonnet will be one of the first utilities in the nation to fully implement the smart grid, which we call the Sustainable Grid.”
A major advantage of the Siemens solution is the open-platform that is not dependent on any particular type of smart meter or communications protocol. Utilities can install smart meters from any manufacturer.
The successful test used sample customer and operations data from Bluebonnet and combined it with SAP and MDMS over a six week time period. “It was a very impressive demonstration,” said Rose.
“This is an important step in helping to achieve energy efficiency here and around the world,” said Maier. “This test is a classic example of how Siemens combines strong industry knowledge and high-performance IT capabilities to answer some of the toughest questions of our time”
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