Electrical service provider Dominion Virginia Power has moved to delay full deployment of its smart-meter program, so the firm can expand ongoing testing.
The smart meter has been tested in parts of Virginia by the power provider with over 50,000 units installed in central parts of the state. The firm now wants an additional 30,000 meters in Northern Virginia.
The power company is looking to ease concerns about the program with the expansion into the more populated area in suburban D.C. The meters serve as a key part of the Smart Grid initiative and have other benefits – notably giving Dominion the ability to detect power outages from a remote location.
According to SmartMeters.com: “Kenneth Barker, Dominion Virginia Power’s vice president for customer solutions and energy conservation, said despite the expanded filed test, the utility’s commitment to the smart grid and automatic metering has not changed. ‘We know it works. We’re getting a significant energy reduction for our customers… We think it’s the best interest of everybody to demonstrate this a little longer.’â€