Todd Arnold, senior vice president for smart grid and customer systems at Duke Energy, said: Our goal is to rapidly transform the way electricity is delivered to, and used by, the 11 million people we serve in five states.”
The two companies would evaluate various smart grid communications hardware and software, and oversee installation and testing of selected equipment and software throughout Duke Energy’s electric grid.
In order to help the customers to control and reduce their electricity consumption, Cisco would work with Duke Energy to develop and install home energy management devices. Both the companies would also test a new generation of durable, weather-proof communications equipment designed for use at Duke Energy’s electric substations.
In Ohio, Duke Energy would introduce a five-year mass deployment of smart grid technology, including approximately 700,000 electric smart meters and 450,000 natural gas smart meters.
In Indiana, Duke Energy is awaiting approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to install extensive smart grid technology, including approximately 800,000 smart meters. Duke Energy regarding Indiana smart grid proposal has signed an agreement with Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and key consumer and business groups.
Duke Energy plans to install distribution automation, both hardware and software, to enhance system efficiency and reliability on its electric grid in both Indiana and Ohio. Duke Energy focuses on get large-scale smart grid technology to three other states, including North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky.
