Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, has started a $7.3m smart grid pilot program in Rockland County in New York.
The three-year program involves installation of new operating equipment that will enhance the reliability of overall electric system for the company’s customers in 14 communities across Rockland from Suffern to Nyack.
The communities are Suffern, Spring Valley, Chestnut Ridge, Monsey, New Square, Kaser, New Hempstead, Nanuet, Tallman, Montebello, New City, Bardonia, West Nyack, and Nyack.
The project further benefits the company’s New York customers as it allows the company to defer a capital investment of $45m for a new substation and a substantial underground transmission line extension.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority awarded a $2m grant to O&R for smart grid research and development.
O&R president and CEO John McAvoy said, "Smart Grid technology helps us operate the electric system more efficiently than ever before. That means that customers will see fewer outages, smaller outages and shorter outages. In short, as a result of our Smart Grid projects, our customers will enjoy more reliable and more responsive electric service."