NV Energy, Inc. Smart Grid Project

NV Energy, Inc., located in Las Vegas, Nevada, will receive $138 million in funding to develop a smarter energy grid. The U.S. Department of Energy selected NV Energy as one of 100 companies to receive federal stimulus funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

NV Energy’s NV Energize project includes deployment of smart meters and communications infrastructure for all residential and commercial customers and pilot programs for time-based rates, advanced customer service options, and electric vehicle monitoring. The project also includes a new meter data management system (MDMS) that integrates all the smart meter data for use in system management, operations, and billing activities. An advanced demand response management system (DRMS) integrates the utility’s portfolio of demand response programs and provides a link to customer service, control operations, system operations, and other functions. An energy management system links the control of the electric transmission, distribution, and generation facilities with the two distinct northern and southern Nevada balancing areas, thereby consolidating transmission and balancing operations statewide across all of NV Energy’s generation fleet and grid interface points. The associated operations improvements results in reduced operations costs, fewer truck rolls, and associated reductions in emissions.

Equipment

• 1,293,450 Smart Meters
• AMI Communication Systems
• Meter Communications Network
• Backhaul Communications
• Customer Web Portal Access for 1,293,450 Customers
• In-Home Displays
• Programmable Communicating Thermostats

Targeted Benefits

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