National Grid, a British electricity and gas provider that also operates in several U.S. states, is enlisting in America’s energy revolution.

The utility has assembled what it describes as “a team of the best and brightest technology and business solutions companies from across the United States” for a pilot test of a comprehensive smart grid—including smart meters, advanced communications, and in-home energy management tools— among more than 15,000 of its utility customers in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The smart grid pilot—now dubbed the “Smart Energy Solutions” program (in deference to the opinions of focus groups)— developed in partnership with the city of Worcester, National Grid customers, and other key constituents, is designed to provide participating ratepayers with a new level of choice and control over their energy usage, with the goals of:

• Empowering customers to save energy
• Increasing electric service reliability
• Improving response to power outages

Participating customers will be able choose their level of involvement, and, according to what options they select, can receive information about their energy usage from various sources such as online applications, including cell phone and smart phone apps. New dynamic pricing options will be available to help customers save energy and money.

Additionally, some participating customers will be able to remotely and automatically control some of their home appliances, in order to take advantage of demand response programs.

Installation of the latest technology on the electric grid to improve reliability and system responsiveness also is part of the pilot. This includes testing automated system reconfiguration and remote power outage sensors, which will enable crews to be dispatched directly to the source of the problem and restore power more quickly. 

These systems may better support the storm restoration process.

National Grid also will study full integration of renewable resources—including electric vehicle charging stations and grid-tied renewable energy.

National Grid’s pilot was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in August 2012. Since then, the company has been communicating with customers about the program, and recently completed early installation of approximately 5,000 advanced meters to help test system communications and allow for equipment adjustments before full pilot launch, which is planned for early in 2014.

The Dream Team

The following is a list of companies that have signed on to support the pilot program:

• BRIDGE Energy Group and Ernst & Young–Project management and integration services
• Itron–Advanced metering infrastructure and meter data management, home area networking, and advanced communication technology
• Cisco (News - Alert)–Advanced communications technology and network management
• General Electric (GE)–A high-speed network using Wimax for communications among devices on the grid
• Verizon (News - Alert) Enterprise Solutions–IP and wireless communications services
• IBM–Legacy system integration
• Wipro (News - Alert)–Web development services
• CEIVA Energy, EcoFactor, Simple Energy, and Itron–In-home technology solutions
• GridMaven–End-to-end communications network monitoring and management
• Navigant–Evaluation services
• SmartMark Communications, LLC–Customer education
• S&C Electric Company , G&W Electric Company, and Beckwith Electric Co Inc.–Advanced distribution automation
• Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Lindsey Manufacturing Company, and Power Delivery Products–Advanced capacitor control and monitoring

According to the Worcester Business Telegram, National Grid already has set up a call center and website, and has started mailing colorful fliers to try to flag the attention of the customers who will be included in the program.

National Grid also is increasing its use of social media and text messaging to share information with its broader customer base. It also is planning to open a “sustainability hub” on the campus of Worcester-based Clark University, where consumers can go to learn more about energy. “It’s our job to make it as easy as possible for our customers,” said Edward H. White Jr., vice president of Customer and Business Strategy.