Jersey Central Power & Light (Morristown, New Jersey)has been selected as a smart grid demonstration host site by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI; Palo Alto, California). The technologies demonstrated during this project may be key to meeting future electricity demand and accomplishing the goals of the New Jersey Energy Master Plan.

The project includes JCP&L's 8-MW Integrated Distributed Energy Resources (IDER) management pilot as well as technologies to enhance peak load shifting, substation electricity storage, and grid monitoring and control.

“EPRI's selection of the IDER project highlights JCP&L's commitment to developing industry-leading standards and technologies to manage demand and operate a more efficient electric delivery system,” said Steve Morgan, president of JCP&L. “Evaluating and adopting smart grid technologies employed in the project is an important component in meeting New Jersey's future energy needs.”

EPRI chose the JCP&L project as one of three regional demonstrations to test the integration of smart grid and other technologies into operations of existing systems. JCP&L's efforts will help EPRI develop standards and protocols for industry-wide grid enhancements.

“Our industry recognizes the need for a smart grid infrastructure to deliver power more efficiently and effectively in the future,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of power delivery and utilization at EPRI. “This smart grid demonstration project is one of many that will be required to test and evaluate integrated technologies as well as develop standards to achieve this vision. It will help enable distributed energy resources to become an integral part of a modernized grid.”