Comverge, Inc. (Comverge), an US based provider of smart grid, demand management, and energy efficiency solutions, has delivered its five millionth demand management device. The company provides the portfolio including smart grid products, SuperStat smart programmable thermostat, the Digital Control Unit (DCU), and the PowerPortal in-home display (IHD). These devices are managed and controlled with the company's new Apollo Demand Response Management System.
The milestone was achieved as The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Stimulus Plan) was nearing final approval.
The company has leveraged its wide experience gained with the installment of more than 5 million devices to be capable of complying with the future Smart Grid infrastructures. These smart grid products combine a variety of technologies, like ZigBee to enable the company’s utility customers to install these products and secure immediate system load reductions. The rapid shift towards communicating thermostats and the AMI compatible devices needs the use of multi-functioning, fully integrated software as offered through the company’s Apollo Platform. This enterprise software suite forms the foundation of a utility’s back office demand side management system and includes such forward thinking capabilities as the integration of alternative energy sources (solar and wind) and electric vehicle to grid (V2G) applications. It is anticipated that these advanced technologies will play a significant role in smart grid applications under the Stimulus Plan.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stipulate appropriations of $4.5 billion for the Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability under Title IV, Energy and Water Development. Specifically, those funds shall be available for expenses necessary for electricity delivery and energy reliability activities to modernize the electric grid, to include demand responsive equipment. The law calls for these appropriations to be implemented through the programs authorized under energy bill that passed in December 2007, known as the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has anticipated that Demand Response and Energy Efficiency could decrease electricity consumption by 218,000 megawatts over the next two decades. This equates to the avoidance or reduction of over 2,000 one hundred megawatt power plants. The company anticipates to work with its utility customers, and also its commercial, residential, and industrial customers, to fully participate in the contemplated programs with the objective of creating new jobs and also accelerating the drive to national energy independence.
At a critical juncture in the determination of the future of our country’s energy infrastructure and the expected impact of the federal stimulus package in shaping that future, surpassing this milestone demonstrates the success of Comverge’s solutions and confirms its role as a leader in Smart Grid programs, stated Robert M. Chiste, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Comverge. Chiste added, We are well positioned to create jobs and contribute to the national drive to energy independence through the rapid adoption of our demand management and energy efficiency programs. Our utility customers rely on Comverge’s deep experience and our broad smart grid product portfolio to advise them in advancing their smart grid and demand management initiatives.