Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Smart Grid Project

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, will receive $15.6 million in funding to develop a smarter energy grid. The U.S. Department of Energy selected Rappahannock Electric Cooperative as one of 100 companies to receive federal stimulus funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s (REC) Smart Grid Initiative project involves deploying smart meters, distribution system infrastructure and a communications network to support the new smart grid assets. The project is focused on the portion of REC’s service territory recently acquired from Allegheny Power. As part of this project, REC is deploying smart meters throughout its service territory. Full coverage allows REC to introduce and test advanced pricing programs and a pre-pay program. The project includes a meter data management system (MDMS) to assist in managing all the increased data available from the smart meters. The project also deploys distribution automation equipment including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and automated controls on distribution voltage regulators to improve power quality, reduce line losses, and reduce operations and maintenance costs through monitoring and control of distribution voltage.

Equipment

• 52,600 Smart Meters
• AMI Communication Systems
• Meter Communications Network
• Backhaul Communications
• Meter Data Management System
• 12,500 Direct Load Control Devices
• Distribution Automation Equipment for 66 out of 283 Circuits
• Distribution Automation Communications Network
• SCADA Communications Network
• Automated Regulators
• Circuit Monitors/Indicators

Targeted Benefits

• Reduced Electricity Costs for Customers
• Reduced Operating and Maintenance Costs
• Increased Electric Service Reliability and Power Quality
• Reduced Costs from Equipment Failures, Line Losses, and Theft
• Reduce Truck Fleet Fuel Usage
• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions