The agreement is subject to misunderstanding by the Maryland Public Service Commission.
The program will deploy Comverge’s new AMI-ready, Dual Mode Digital Control Unit which incorporates both a VHF channel and a ZigBee communications channel. This technology includes Comverge’s new AMI-ready, VHF to ZigBee Bridge that receives VHF messages and relay them via ZigBee to a ZigBee SuperStat. The program will also install Comverge’s PowerPortal In-Home Display device that will allow Pepco customers to monitor their energy consumption in near real time. The entire system will be managed by the Comverge Apollo Demand Response Management System (DRMS).
We are appreciative of PHI’s continued confidence shown in Comverge, said Robert M. Chiste, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Comverge. Chiste added, We believe that this agreement is a validation of the success Comverge is experiencing with AMI and represents one of the first major AMI-ready smart grid deployments. As utilities continue to roll out smart devices for their developing smart grid networks, energy conservation and demand management are major components in a national drive toward energy independence. It is exciting to be a partner with PHI in delivering this important clean energy program which includes our nation’s capital.
Chiste continued: We are witnessing significant traction in our AMI-ready demand response programs, which are compatible with current or future utility AMI initiatives and bring immediate value.
This next generation technology allows us to achieve our direct load control program requirements today while still providing compatibility with future system enhancements, said Bill Gausman, Senior Vice President Asset Management. PHI can now transition into our planned advanced metering infrastructure that will use digital meters and electronic switching to improve reliability with a load control technology ultimately compatible with smart grid deployment.
