CenterPoint said it started installing Itron OpenWay smart meters in March 2009 and expects to complete the installation of more than two million system-wide by mid-2012.
Electric smart meters are part of Energy InSight, CenterPoint Energy’s system of integrated smart technologies, designed to give consumers more control over their energy consumption while improving electric reliability and power restoration.
Energy InSight’s system of technologies also includes a self-healing intelligent grid that will use smart meters, power line sensors, remote switches and other automated equipment to improve power reliability and restoration in central Houston.
CenterPoint Energy has received $200m grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) in March 2010, of which the company put to use more than $100m to help fund the deployment of its advanced metering system and the development of the intelligent grid.
The company said that consumers have the option of purchasing an in-home display energy monitor, providing them with up-to-the-minute usage information and allowing them to change their consumption behavior to save electricity and money.
