PGE is upgrading electric meters with a new generation of smart meters. These new digital meters will allow PGE to read the meter remotely over a private, secure wireless network, much like a cell phone network. Once the system is fully installed in your area, meter readers will no longer have to visit your business every month to read the meter. In the meantime, meter readers will continue to read the meters manually until the wireless network is activated. Over the long-term, PGE will still require periodic access to the meter for routine maintenance and testing.
Installation
The meters serving a majority of businesses are equipped with bypasses that allow us to switch out the meter without interrupting your electricity service. In the cases where the meter does not have a bypass, we will consult with you about when to perform the meter exchange so it has the least impact on your business.
Installers will have identification badges-some are PGE employees and some are contractors employed by Wellington Energy, Inc. Wellington employees will wear a Wellington uniform along with a PGE Contractor ID badge.
If you have any questions, please e-mail us or call PGE’s Business Services team at 800-822-1077.
Benefits
You’ll continue to enjoy the same reliable electrical service and your bill will look the same as before. But smart meters will help us to improve customer service, operate more efficiently and keep our rates as low as possible. There are several advantages:
- Saves money: We anticipate millions in savings per year following the installation of smart meters. Controlling costs helps keep electric rates as low as possible.
- Saves the environment: Fewer meter-reading vehicles will cut 1.2 million miles of driving, save 80,000 gallons of gasoline and reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 million pounds every year.
- Helps you save energy: By 2010, customers with smart meters will be able to access detailed information about their power consumption. Together, we can help you plan energy-saving strategies.
- Speeds power restoration: Further down the road, the new meters will be able to tell PGE if you’re experiencing a power outage. That can help us dispatch repair crews more efficiently and speed the restoration of service.
- Enables smart grid technology: Smart metering is the foundation for future “smart grid” and “smart business” technology that will help us optimize our services and lower your energy costs.
Installation schedule
Starting in spring 2009, PGE will implement the upgrade throughout the entire service area. The upgrade is scheduled to be completed by fall 2010. During the implementation of the plan, meter readers will continue to manually read some meters. Once the system is operational, all meters will be read remotely.
More about smart meters