Idaho Power’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program, including smart meters, which was previously approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, provides the matched funding requirement for the DOE Smart Grid stimulus grant.
The company will utilize the fund to align its existing security methodology with emerging smart grid cyber security standards and will include security risk-based analyses. Idaho Power will provide the DOE with a formal cyber security plan, including a cyber security framework, within the next 30 days.
Idaho Power said that this way it will be able to provide information to customers, while safeguarding this data from non-authorized users and ensure system integrity.
Colleen Ramsey, manager of delivery construction, will lead the smart grid projects.
According to Idaho Power, its total investment in the projects, which includes the continued installation of smart meters, offers benefits to communities, customers and shareholders.
In addition, local economies may be strengthened through the anticipated addition of approximately 30 full-time, temporary jobs in the Treasure Valley for the three-year project duration.
Dan Minor, executive vice president of operations at Idaho Power, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this funding opportunity as it allows us to advance planned technology projects which improve our grid and provide customers with more information to make better energy consumption choices.”
