November 30, 2008
Con Ed and AMI

That's Advanced Meter Infrastructure, which Con Ed would install, on their own terms, while charging customers more for their own increased efficiency.

Energy Central Topics

"Con Ed filed application on March 28, 2007, for approval of AMI deployment plan and cost recovery. Con Ed plans to use radio frequency communication technology. Con Ed’s analysis demonstrates $713 million in AMI costs and $782.5 million in AMI benefits over 15-year period. Con Ed requests approval of surcharge, adjusted annually, to recover all capital and O&M costs for AMI deployment, plus lost revenues."

It turns out that the writer of the above-linked article is a consultant with KEMA, the group hired to do the study and write Con Ed's AMI proposal, which included no provisions for customers to use meter data to increase conservation. And put cost recovery for the upgrade on the customer as a surcharge.

Did they get approval? Is this moving ahead?

Digging a little deeper, here is a paper trail:

In response to the PSC's 2006 call for AMI implementation plans, Con Ed submitted this:

CON ED NEW YORK AMI FILING (March 2007)" (pdf)

Public Service Commission noted that the submissions left out a number of important provisions and called for utilities to comment:

Case 94-E-0952, Notice Seeking Comment (Oct. 10, 2007)

Con Ed's response - no, no, and no:

Con Edison Metering Comments (pdf)

Here is the repository on PSC's site for all related documents - nothing past an April 2008 technical conference and an October 2008 list of approved meters.

Advanced Metering Initiative

Where do we stand?

From the Edison Foundation's State Regulatory Update: Energy Efficiency:

New York has declined so far to authorize full-scale AMI implementation, but has directed utilities to implement pilots. The regulators cite uncertainty over the forecasted value of societal benefits and lack of proven technology.

Edison Foundation's description of AMI and its benefits:

Upgrading efficiency and related programs may require upgrading of delivery systems. Many utilities and regulators are looking toward the use of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), which would use “smart grid” technology to provide consumers with the ability to use electricity more efficiently. The technology, which includes use of meters allowing two-way communication, also would provide utilities with the ability to detect problems on their systems and operate them more efficiently, thereby ultimately improving reliability and saving money for consumers.

Posted by Dave at November 30, 2008 06:49 PM