Get smart: New energy-grid pilot planned in Charlotte

Posted on by Nelda Holder

The N.C. Utilities Commission has approved a “smart-grid” pilot program planned by Duke Energy Carolinas for a south Charlotte residential area. According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the initiative will combine technologies of solar power, smart meters and storage batteries to help determine how small solar generators and energy-storage equipment might be integrated to reduce peak demand and improve service reliability.

According to the Journal report, the project utilizes several key Duke Energy initiatives: Save-A-Watt, smart grid and rooftop solar panels. Meters will track how energy is used in order to fine-tune the control of usage. The program targets high energy-consuming appliances, including heating and air-conditioning systems, clothes dryers, pool pumps, entertainment centers — particularly plasma televisions. The project is expected to be operational by fall.

— Nelda Holder, associate editor

 

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One thought on “Get smart: New energy-grid pilot planned in Charlotte”

  1. Dixiegirlz

    Many people don’t realize that using appliances during “off peak” times can save a lot of money. For example I have my basement de-humidifier set on a timer to run from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am ..this saves about half the cost of running it during on peak hours and keeps the dampness in the basement way down. All weekends and holidays are off peak hours too. You can search Progress Energie’s webpage for the times of on and off peak hours, as they change a bit from winter to summer. So do you laundry and other heavy energy stuff on weekends or late at night and save some money.
    D. Dial

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