Southern California Edison to Install Smart Meters in South Bay Communities

Southern California Edison (SCE) will start installing smart electric meters throughout South Bay communities in Los Angeles County as part of the Edison SmartConnect program. SCE customers in those communities are receiving new meters starting this week through the end of July, and later this year will be able to take advantage of new programs and services enabled by the meters.

Communities in the upcoming installation phase include: El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, San Pedro and Torrance.

Edison SmartConnect meters are digital, secure, two-way communicating devices that will replace traditional mechanical meters and provide a key step in transforming the electric system to a smart grid. Smart meters measure electricity usage up-to-the minute and, later this year, customers will be able to view their energy usage from a computer, cell phone, or other electronic device to track how much they use and how much it costs.

“Over the past several years, we have focused on developing an industry-leading smart meter program, including extensive testing of our smart meters and associated systems to ensure their quality and performance,” said Ken Devore, director of SCE’s Edison SmartConnect program. “Smart meters will empower our customers to become better managers of their electricity usage through new tools, programs and services that will help them save energy, money, and the environment.”

Within the next year, SCE will introduce new pricing plans, programs and services that will empower customers to make better-informed decisions about their energy use. In the second half of 2010 and beyond, once the advanced features are fully activated, the meters will be enabled to communicate with the next generation of smart thermostats, appliances and other devices.

The first smart meter in the Edison SmartConnect program was installed last September in Downey, Calif., with installations continuing through 2012 to total nearly 5 million SCE residential and small-business customers in the utility’s 50,000-square-mile service territory. To date, SCE has installed more than 800,000 meters. 
 
SCE has contracted with Corix Utilities, Inc. to perform most of the installations. Here is some important information for customers getting the new meters: 

• Customers will be notified by mail in advance when installations are scheduled in their neighborhood.
• Customers do not need to be home, but they do need to provide clear access to their meter. The installer will leave a door hanger indicating if the installation was successful or if an appointment for installation is required due to access issues.
• During a typical residential or small business installation, customers will experience a short power interruption of less than one minute.  As an extra measure of protection, customers are encouraged to plug electronic equipment, such as personal computers and televisions, into power surge protectors.
• Corix installers carry identification indicating they are approved SCE contractors.
• Customers with smart meters will receive follow-up information by mail notifying them when new program features and services become available, and how to access them. 

Return to July 2010 Western Energy News

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