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Portland General Electric Co. obtained approval May 5 from the Oregon Public Utility Commission to install more than 850,000 "smart" electric meters over the next two years to help the utility and its customers manage energy use.
The capital cost of the systemwide project is expected to be $130 million to $135 million, with annual operating savings projected to be $18 million as of 2011, the first full year of operation of the new system.
Portland General said it will begin systems testing this summer and aims to complete the tests late this year. The utility will then proceed with large-scale installation of the new meters in 2009 and 2010 for all of its 808,000 commercial and residential customers in northwestern Oregon.
Portland General said the advanced metering infrastructure will provide long-term benefits by enhancing customer service and reducing operating expenses. Features will include new billing options, such as customer-selected bill due dates, and remote activation and deactivation for customers who are moving their homes or businesses. The technology will provide quicker and more accurate outage and restoration response, the utility said.
The mechanical electric meters currently in place must be read manually, and have been in use for decades. The new smart meters will provide two-way communications between...