Greentech Lead
America: The city of Opelika has announced partnership with The Motive
Group to build the most advanced and future proof infrastructure by deploying
an all fiber network that will enable very low latency for Smart Grid
applications now, and in the future, and will benefit Opelika Power Services
electric customers beyond the foreseeable future.
This partnership will enable the city of Opelika to deploy
advanced meter reading over fiber to each home and business in
their service area, which reduces cost for truck rolls and provides real-time
data energy usage. This allows for cost savings in how the city manages its
utility going forward.
“The utility industry is challenged with solving a
critical national problem where supply cannot meet demand for energy without a
major network transformation that enables more efficient use of our energy
resources,” said Jennifer McCain, co-founder of The Motive Group.
“Smart Grid technology is an opportunity to modernize the electric system
and can enable the delivery of modern broadband/triple play services to
communities using the same network infrastructure.”
The City of Opelika recognizes the positive impact broadband
services bring to their community in terms of economic development and also
understands the importance of implementing operational efficiencies when adding
new competitive services.
The Motive Group will support this requirement by helping
with the operational and organizational transformation necessary to ensure
success. Some of the responsibilities of The Motive Group include construction
management, overall project management, system Integration, public relations
and marketing and development of cost allocation methodology.
“Fiber Optic infrastructure is a key component to
Opelika’s ability to deliver next generation electric, voice, video and
ultra-high-speed data services to the citizens and businesses of Opelika,”
said Gary Fuller, mayor of Opelika. “The data services alone are
desperately needed to foster economic growth, generate revenues that pay for
the advanced Smart Grid over time and enhance our education and healthcare
systems.”
More than 75
percent U.S. electric meters will be converted to smart meters by 2016
Recently In-Stat announced that more than 75 percent of all
US electric meters will be converted to smart meters by 2016, providing a
wealth of information to both electric utility companies and consumers.
With more than 3,000 utilities, local municipalities,
and private companies operating America’s electrical grid, upgrading the
electric grid will be a major effort. However, NPD In-Stat believes that the
conversion to smart meters will accelerate over the next five years.