Colorado Springs Utilities has signed an agreement with Landis+Gyr to initiate an advanced load management program to reduce load on distribution system assets during peak power consumption.
Over the next four years, the utility will deploy 1900 smart thermostats and software applications to enable load shedding on specific feeder circuits to protect transformers and other distribution equipment, while maintaining reliable electric service.
The smart thermostats are equipped with Gridstream communications technology and will utilize the utility's existing smart grid network to communicate with sophisticated load management software. During peak power events, the software will use accurate load information to determine the number of customer thermostats to control. If a customer opts out of a control period, the software automatically adjusts to find replacement load curtailment to ensure load shedding requirements are met. Consumers who participate in the program will have access to a mobile device application to monitor thermostat settings and make decisions about participation during a peak event.
This program is an extension of Colorado Springs Utilities' smart grid relationship with Landis+Gyr that began in 2005 with deployment of a Gridstream advanced metering network to communicate with electric, water and gas meters. In addition, Landis+Gyr provides cloud services for data and software hosting, as well as maintenance of network assets as part of a long-term services contract with the utility.
Located at the base of Pikes Peak on the front range of the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Springs Utilities is the fourth largest four-service utility company in the United States with more than 600,000 combined metered customers.
