Approximately $40m in combined funding from the DOE and Westar will complete the project over the next three years. When completed, the SmartStar Lawrence project is expected to offer customers the opportunity for more insight to their daily electricity use and cost information. Improvements will also be made in the distribution system and in the supporting technical infrastructure.
The DOE grant provides for reimbursement of approximately $19m of the project cost. As part of the program, Westar will report to the DOE on a regular basis the project progress and will be held accountable for achieving project milestones.
Bill Moore, president and CEO of Westar, said: “We are pleased to reach agreement with the Department of Energy. We look forward to bringing this new level of energy information to our customers and finding the things that work best to deliver great service in a flexible and environmentally friendly approach.
“This takes us further down the path of giving customers more accessibility to how they’re using electricity and choice. This smart grid technology will also help us better integrate renewable energy and emerging trends, such as electric vehicles.”
