Educating customers key to smart grid’s success, Leesburg says

LEESBURG – The city plans to roll out its «smart» electric meters in the next few months.

The high-tech meters will provide customers with a detailed and real-time look at how much energy they’re consuming and allow them to cut back on wasteful habits to save money on their monthly bills, city officials said.

However, the success of the multimillion-dollar digital power network will depend on whether customers understand and use the data to curb consumption, said Robert Sargent, the city’s public-outreach coordinator.

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  Leesburg
  

Education will be key.

City officials have been making rounds, talking to customers about how smart grid will work and how they can save money with the new system.

«We don’t want there to be any confusion that the equipment alone will save energy,» Sargent said. «It’s about changing their [consumption] habits.»

The city is partnering with General Electric on the $20 million project. A federal grant will cover more than half the cost. Officials said the program is expected to save the city $15 million after 20 years.

Officials hope the system also will help save the city money by easing demand on regional power plants during peak times, such as afternoons when kids come home and turn on the television while mom is using the oven to make dinner. The city’s utility is charged the most for power consumed during peak hours, Sargent said.

The meters should be installed at 24,000 businesses and homes by summertime. But the usage data will not be available on the city’s website until the end of the year, he said.

Some people may be confused during the change, Sargent said. The electrical billing system hasn’t been changed for decades. Currently, customers don’t know how much power they use until they receive their monthly bill.

«It’ll be new to some folks,» he said, adding, «The goal is to get the customer informed.»

Officials plan to ramp up their efforts to educate their customers. They’re reaching out to churches, civic groups and homeowners associations to host workshop on smart grid. To schedule a presentation, call Sargent at 352-728-9704.

elogonzalez@tribune.

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