NEWTON, Mass., June 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BRIDGE Energy Group (BRIDGE), is celebrating the latest results from National Grid’s SES program. BRIDGE was instrumental as the program partner, providing experienced leadership, management, domain expertise and systems integration to support the delivery of the Smart Grid Pilot. To date, 11,000 Worcester residents have realized significant cost savings on their electric bills, reducing average customer usage during peak periods of energy demand by 7.2% (from 3.9% in 2015) with a 98% retention rate. Participating customers saved a total of 1,573 megawatt-hours – enough to power more than 100 homes for a year.
Tweet this: .@BRIDGEEnergyGrp helps save @TweetWorcester $1.8M on energy bills, puts $236 savings back in residents’ pockets. #NationalGrid #powersavings
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approved National Grid’s $44 million Smart Energy Solutions program in 2012, selecting BRIDGE that same year to provide leadership in program governance and management, business operational readiness, solution architecture and design, testing and management of the 12 vendors. In addition, BRIDGE ensured the timely and accurate accounting of project progress and financials and supported the development, training and implementation of new customer programs and business processes. In 2016, National Grid filed for a two-year extension of the Smart Energy Solutions program in Worcester and the DPU has approved an interim extension.
According to National Grid public statements, a key feature for National Grid’s Smart Energy Solutions program is the installation of the latest technology, including real-time systems that provide insights that enable improvements to reliability and electricity system performance. These investments have enhanced the reliability of the electricity distribution system in the program area by 10 percent. Special equipment and switches that report and automatically isolate power outages minimized the impact for customers, reducing the number of minutes customers were interrupted by 194,000 minutes over the two-year period. BRIDGE played a vital role in this solution’s architecture and design, program management, testing and transition to operations. Michelle Fay, VP of Consulting Services, BRIDGE Energy Group explains the importance of this program's results.
“As we approach the hot summer months, it is imperative that electricity providers continually offer reliable power at affordable prices to their customers. Now more than ever, customers also play a vital role in ensuring the achievement of that goal,” Fay said. “The SES program gives National Grid an opportunity to assess new energy technologies and resources, that give customers better information, savings and control over how they consume energy, helping to create a more cost-effective, modern grid.”
With the help of BRIDGE, National Grid was able to accomplish such goals as:
- Meeting the requirements of the Green Communities Act, which requires utilities in Mass. to utilize time-of-use or hourly pricing for commodity service for a minimum of 0.25 percent of the company’s customers.
- Achieving 5% peak and average load reduction.
- Providing customers more control to effectively manage their energy usage through new rates and technology options.
- Improving reliability with fewer customers out for a shorter duration of time, as well as operational efficiency and grid thermal performance.
- Reducing System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) for both typical and major event days.
- Identifying technology and rate structures that resonate with their diverse customer needs.
To optimize real-time operations at your utility, contact BRIDGE at 1.888.351.8999 or via www.bridgeenergygroup.com/contact-us/
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About BRIDGE Energy Group
BRIDGE Energy Group, the leading consulting and systems integration company focused on real-time operations, enables energy and utility companies to achieve a more reliable and sustainable future. BRIDGE combines expertise in industry and technology, advanced analytics, and security and compliance, to deliver integrated and optimized solutions. Founded in 2004, BRIDGE is headquartered near Boston, MA. For more information on BRIDGE, please contact 888-351-8999 or visit www.BridgeEnergyGroup.com.