IBM said that the pilot has helped local businesses and residents participate in the monitoring and control of their energy usage with savings of up to 40%.
Utilizing software by IBM and Consert, participants can set their daily use profiles, check their energy consumption from an internet connection, select a monthly target bill amount, and authorize FPWC to cycle their appliances off for brief periods during peak energy consumption events. Data is transmitted over the 3G Verizon Wireless network.
The pilot aimed to reduce ‘ghost’ consumption on devices such as air conditioners and water heaters that draw energy when no one is home to use them. Consumers will be able to do these same activities from a PDA or mobile phone early next year.
In the six-month pilot spearheaded by FPWC, consert outfitted each participant’s residence or place of business with small controllers placed on high consumption devices. A gateway was integrated to the meter enabling two-way communications between the participant and the FPWC utilizing wireless network connectivity provided by Verizon Wireless, said the companies.
By logging into a web site from their laptops, participants can check on and adjust their energy consumption. The pilot also provides a wireless broadband internet connection as an option for those participants with no connectivity or those who are using a dial-up service.
Consert provided the technology for the pilot with smart meter and software applications technology based on IBM software including DB2, WebSphere and Tivoli.
Jack Roberts, CEO and president of Consert, said: “The pilot creates an additional way for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission to effectively meet the requirements of North Carolina renewable and energy efficiency legislation, address future demands for costly generators and help consumers realize savings.”
