Electric Power Board of Chattanooga Smart Grid Project

The Electric Power Board of Chattanooga (EPB), located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will receive $111 million in funding to help with the building of a smarter energy grid. The U.S. Department of Energy selected the EPB as one of 100 companies to receive federal stimulus funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

EPB’s Smart Grid project involves the installation of advanced metering systems and communications infrastructure. The project installs automated distribution grid equipment expected to enhance the reliability and quality of electric service delivery. The project implements two-way communications and metering expected to: 1) enable customers to view their energy consumption at their convenience through systems such as Web portals, 2) provide time-based rate programs to customers, 3) provide information and tools to improve outage management, and 4) reduce operations and maintenance costs.

Equipment

• 170,000 Smart Meters
• AMI Communication Systems
• Meter Communications Network
• Backhaul Communications
• Customer Web Portal
• Up to 5,000 Direct Load Control Devices
• Up to 5,000 In-Home Displays/Energy Management Systems
• Up to 5,000 Programmable Communicating Thermostats
• Distribution System Automation/Upgrade for 164 out of 309 Circuits
• SCADA Communications Network
• Automated Distribution Circuit Switches*

Including automation of existing motor operated switches at the sub-transmission level

Targeted Benefits

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