Central Lincoln People's Utility District Smart Grid Project

The Central Lincoln People's Utility District will receive $9.9 M in stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 0f 2009 to build a smart grid.

Central Lincoln People’s Utility District (Central Lincoln PUD) is deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and distribution automation assets as part of their Smart Grid Team 2020. The AMI project consists of a system-wide deployment of smart meters to both commercial and residential customers as well as a communications infrastructure to gather the smart meter data. The two-way communication provided by the AMI allows Central Lincoln PUD to deploy direct load control devices and pricing programs, helping to lower peak demand through increased customer awareness. In addition to the AMI, Central Lincoln PUD is also upgrading its electric infrastructure with an improved supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, installation of an outage management system, automated distribution feeder controls, and regulators. The enhancements improve power quality, system reliability, and system efficiency.

Smart Grid Equipment

• 38,283 Smart Meters
• AMI Communication Systems
• Meter Communications Network
• Backhaul Communications
• Meter Data Management System
• Customer Web Portal Access for All Customers
• 5,000 In-Home Displays
• 5,000 Direct Load Control Devices
• Distribution Automation Equipment for 13 out of 80 Circuits
• Distribution Automation Communications Network
• SCADA Communications Network
• Automated Distribution Circuit Switches
• Automated Capacitors
• Automated Regulators
• Circuit Monitors/Indicators

Targeted Benefits

• Reduced Meter Reading Costs
• Reduced Operating and Maintenance Costs
• Reduced Electricity Costs for Customers
• Improved Electric Service Reliability and Power Quality
• Reduced Costs from Distribution Line Losses and Theft
• Reduced Truck Fleet Fuel Usage
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Pollutant Emissions