McLean, Virginia-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC (News - Alert)) – a scientific, engineering and technology applications company – has started work on a 10-year contract from United Power, an electricity provider located outside Denver.

The SAIC team will implement a pilot project during which 10,000 smart meters will be deployed, along with advanced metering infrastructure solutions and a Smart Grid-as-a-Service solution.

SAIC developed Smart Grid-as-a-Service (SGS) to provide a one-stop, low-risk solution for utilities, especially municipalities and co-ops that want to move to the smarter grid but have limited staff and money. The SGS out-of-the-box smart grid implementation provides the people, process and technology, so that a utility can focus on its core business needs and realize the benefits sooner. A traditional smart grid implementation usually provides the utility with only one technology option, according to SAIC, as well as the burden of implementing that technology themselves.

This is considered a do-it-yourself model.

Services began in July to build out the infrastructure, and once in operation, it will deliver immediate improved efficiency and enhanced customer service for Brighton, Colorado-based United Power.

United Power is a rural electric cooperative providing electric service to nearly 70,000 homes and businesses throughout Colorado's northern Front Range.

Image via Shutterstock

 “SAIC’s SGS provides a comprehensive, affordable, and integrated one-stop resource for United Power, and enables our organization to better manage the risks associated with implementation of this advanced technology,” said United Power CEO Ron Asche. “SGS’s integrated hardware and software solution provides advanced metering infrastructure, outage alerts, remote connection capabilities, as well as the capability for enhanced integration of alternative energy metering such as time of use and net metering. As part of the SGS project, SAIC is assisting United Power with refining [our]business processes and driving the culture change necessary to fully derive the benefits of SGS.”

“SGS will provide the direct advantage of on-demand meter reads, as well as improved billing accuracy and more detailed outage information – and the capability for United Power to offer customers a Web portal to view and manage energy consumption,” said SAIC senior vice president of Smart Grid Kenneth Stewart. “We are excited for the opportunity to work with United Power to enhance and modernize its service capabilities through the SGS model.”