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Smart Grid at Constellation.com
Smart Grid

Overview

Smart grid is a promising solution to address far-reaching global energy issues, as well as the unique and personal concerns of the individual energy consumer.  With smart grid, power companies can better manage the efficiency, reliability and security of the grid, while consumers can better manage energy bills and achieve monthly savings.

The electric grid delivers electricity from power generation sources to consumers through the use of two systems: the transmission system, which delivers electricity from power plants to substations, and the distribution system, which delivers electricity from distribution substations to consumers. As consumers continue to use more electricity, the use of these two systems continues to increase and the grid becomes overloaded – causing brownouts and blackouts. Smart grid lessens this strain on the grid by integrating the gas and electric transmission and distribution systems with communications and IT networks to improve utility operations and support of consumer products to enable conservation, as well as cost savings.

One of the ways smart grid can help consumers achieve greater conservation and savings is by enhancing the devices we’re familiar with, such as electric meters. These advanced meters are called smart meters, and they identify consumption in more detail than a conventional meter. The smart meter has the ability to communicate information via a secured network back to the local utility.

In the future, the smart grid will provide greater capacity to meet our customers' growing demand for renewable energy from wind, solar and other sources. It also will allow us to begin the testing and research necessary to support next-generation transportation innovations, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

 

BGE’s Smart Grid Project

Constellation Energy’s regulated utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) is in the process of implementing smart grid throughout its Central Maryland service territory.  The program promises to be one of the most ambitious energy initiatives of its kind in the nation, saving BGE gas and electric customers more than $2.5 billion.

BGE's ambitious smart grid program will deliver significant transformational benefits, including: 

  • At least $2.5 billion worth of savings for BGE customers over the life of the project.
  • Major new enhancements in customer service and electric reliability.
  • The cost for smart grid will be reduced as a result of our ability to take advantage of a $200 million federal stimulus grant provided by the Department of Energy.
  • BGE customers will be equipped with the tools and information they not only need, but will want, to better manage, conserve and save money on energy.

BGE's rollout of the smart meter program will take place starting in late 2011 and be fully operational by mid 2014. Roughly coinciding with the first meter installations, BGE will introduce a new energy management website giving customer the opportunity to see immediate benefits. Additional elements will be added over time expanding customer control over their energy usage.