BGE to Implement Smart Grid Program in Central Maryland
By Vinti VaidBaltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Constellation Energy, has announced that it will be implementing the smart grid throughout its Central Maryland service territory.
Kenneth W. DeFontes Jr., president and chief executive officer of BGE, said that with the Maryland Public Service Commission's approval of their project, they were happy to move forward with the ambitious smart grid program and deliver the significant transformational benefits of smart grid to their 1.2 million customers. DeFontes added that the benefits include at least $2.5 billion worth of savings for BGE customers in addition to major new enhancements in customer service and reliability.
DeFontes further explained that the decision to go ahead with the project proved their commitment towards helping the state meet increased energy efficiency and conservation objectives under EmPOWER Maryland, while enhancing service for their customers. BGE's ability to invest the hundreds of millions of dollars in smart grid on behalf of its customers depends on predictability, certainty, and fairness in being able to recover those costs. DeFontes said that while the commission has opted to go with a different regulatory method, BGE was committed to working with the commission to seek out ways to better align the benefits and costs of the project while reducing the chance for a rate spike at the end of deployment.
BGE's general plan for long-term, customer-focused education and communication surrounding smart grid has also received PCS’s approval. According to a release, BGE will be providing its customers with the required resources and information before the implementation of the smart grid program. The electric company’s customers can expect significant energy-management and energy-savings benefits. The company also projects the creation of an estimated 350 direct jobs and more than 1,300 indirect jobs related to implementation of smart grid. DeFontes is confident about their decision to move forward with smart grid, and is sure that they will maintain their position as a national leader in delivering innovative and cutting-edge technology to customers.
