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AEP Ohio Seeks To Install Fiber (Broadband) As Part Of Smart Grid Deployment
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AEP Ohio has filed for approval of Phase 3 of its gridSMART grid modernization initiative, which includes a proposal for fiber deployment by AEP Ohio.
Under the proposal, AEP Ohio would complete the deployment of AMI (smart meters) to the company’s remaining customers, replacing 475,000 existing meters with advanced meters
As part of Phase 3, AEP Ohio proposed to install fiber optical cable (also known as
fiber connections, dark fiber, or fiber) to select Access Points (APs) and the first
distribution line device outside the station for DACR and VVO circuits rather than
installing the traditional wireless communication to these devices.
Regarding the fiber deployment, AEP Ohio said, "AEP Ohio does not currently plan to offer last mile or end-user broadband service.
However, if the rules changed to allow AEP Ohio to offer these services to customers and
traditional ISPs did not take the opportunity to expand to these rural customers, AEP
Ohio will evaluate the business case associated with offering these services."
As previously reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, AEP is supporting legislation which would allow utilities to provide, "customer-focused energy services or products" and "smart grid technology" to customers
AEP Ohio also detailed how customers can control their smart home devices using an AEP Ohio device, which will receive AMI info
"The Energy Bridge is a device offered by the Company that connects the It’s Your Power
app with a customer’s AMI meter, giving access to energy usage in real-time. The
Energy Bridge also offers access to a suite of additional energy management tools that
allows customers to control all of their smart home devices, including bulbs, switches,
and sensors," the utility said
"It’s Your Power coupled with the Energy Bridge provides customers real-time
energy usage (every 3 seconds). This additional tool aligns with the PowerForward
initiative, as it helps enable smart home management. It’s Your Power provides
customers the ability to see disaggregated appliance usage, appliance health and
coaching, set budgets, receive notifications, and control other smart connected devices in
the home like thermostat, smart lights, and EV charging. The advisor cards within It’s
Your Power are customized to individual users coaching the customer on best actions to
take with personalized tips and information regarding whole house usage," AEP Ohio said
AEP Ohio also proposed adding functionality to provide AMI interval data to competitive retail electric service (CRES)
providers via electronic data interchange (EDI) for CRES customers on time of use programs, "to enable a more automated transmittal of data that is more efficient for the
CRES providers."
"EDI data automates the gathering of the information for the CRES
providers. Today, the CRES providers must access the portal to retrieve the information.
Once the CRES provider retrieves the information manually, they must also manually
add the data to their system in order to bill the customer. Adding EDI functionality for CRES TOU product customers will allow the CRES to have machine-to-machine access
of data," the utility said
AEP Ohio currently performs final 60-day settlement using AMI interval data for all AMI
customers on a CRES TOU program or that have greater than 200kw of electricity
demand.
"AEP Ohio is exploring the possibility of expanding the existing program, which would
allow market settlement of all customers using AMI interval data. Once AEP Ohio has
completed a full analysis of such an expansion, the Company will make a subsequent
filing regarding an implementation plan," AEP Ohio said
Case No. 19-1475-EL-RDR
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Utility Would "Evaluate" Offering End-User Broadband Service If Rural Market Unserved, And Rules Changed
Details Smart Home, Energy Management Tools, Disaggregated Usage
Retail Supplier Data Access, Use Of AMI Data For Settlement Addressed
AEP Ohio Would Complete Territory-Wide Deployment Of Smart Meters
July 29, 2019
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Copyright 2010-19 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
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