Hawaiian utilities prepare for smart grid deployment

SUBNET Solutions Inc | Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has taken the next step in implementing a new smart grid to the island by determining how to integrate advanced infrastructure that will allow for improved efficiency in managing electricity, Smarter Utility reports.

According to the news source, utilities will deploy a gridstream RF network that will enable utilities to have intelligent communications with distribution devices and other infrastructure. Roughly half the price of the deployment project is being funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

"New technology can ultimately result in our members saving money if we are able to better control our island's energy demand and be able to defer investing in baseload conventional generation," said Mike Yamane, KIUC chief of Operations and lead engineer on the project.

KIUC, a not-for-profit organization, is a generation, transmission and distribution cooperative that is fully owned and operated by its constituents. Throughout the island of Kauai, KIUC serves more than 32,000 electricity users. The utility hopes to fully utilize new smart grid technology in order to wean Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuels, among other reasons, the media outlet stated.

As smart grid deployment spreads across the country, a solutions provider such as SUBNET works with utilities to ensure secure integration of substation automation and remote access capabilities into the new grid.  

Tags: Substation Automation & Remote Access