The pilot program, which is partially funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy, is designed to encourage energy conservation by providing information to consumers about their electricity usage and their associated costs.
For the next two years, starting in June, Entergy plans to track and analyze the consumption behaviors of four specific customer control groups made up of qualified customers within the city of New Orleans.
Entergy said the customers in the first group will receive a smart meter; the second group will receive a smart meter and an in-home display that will deliver messages about electricity usage and associated costs.
Entergy also stated the third group will receive a smart meter and programmable thermostat and will also be offered a rebate if they participate in a program to limit their air conditioning for short periods of time during summer peak periods; and the fourth group will have access to an Internet portal that will display near real-time information about electricity usage and associated costs.
Entergy Smart Grid Deployment director Keith McInerney said that this pilot program will help the company to understand which program elements are the most useful to customers in lowering their energy bill.
