34,000 new maritime electric smart meters installed across p.e.i. so far
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the rollout for maritime electric new smart meters has so far focused mainly on urban areas in queens county, including the greater charlottetown area, where customers are closer together.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
maritime electric says it has installed about 34,000 new smart meters across p.e.i. as it continues a provincewide rollout expected to be completed next summer.
the utility is about one-third of the way through installing 90,000 meters and about two-thirds of the way through installing the equipment needed to collect data from them, said angus orford, vice-president of corporate planning and energy supply.
“we’re on track,” orford said, adding that the project is expected to wrap up in july or august 2027 before rates are increased.
more information
the rollout has so far focused mainly on urban areas in queens county, including the greater charlottetown area, where customers are closer together.
orford said work will take longer as crews move into more rural areas because of the greater distances between homes.
“there’s more driving and more windshield time between each installation of the new meter,” he said.
the new meters will give maritime electric much more information about how and when customers use electricity.
the utility typically receives one reading of a customer’s electricity use each month. the new meters will record electricity use four times an hour.
angus orford, vice-president of corporate planning and energy supply with maritime electric, said the utility is about one-third of the way through installing 90,000 meters and about two-thirds of the way through installing the equipment needed to collect data from them.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
peak periods
orford said the information could eventually help maritime electric develop incentives or new rate options that encourage customers to use some appliances outside peak periods.
for example, customers could be encouraged to run their dishwashers later at night instead of during the daytime when electricity use is at its highest.
reducing peak demand could also reduce the amount of money the utility needs to invest in the electricity system, orford said.
customers will also have access to an online portal where they can see their own electricity use. orford said the information could help people notice when certain appliances are using more power.
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he gave the example of an old deep freezer that may use much more electricity than a newer model.
‘most advanced technology’
the smart meter and customer information system project cost around $64 million. maritime electric received a $19-million grant from natural resources canada, with the remaining cost being covered by customers over the life of the assets.
he said the rollout has been smooth so far. maritime electric installs the meters for customers and has also repaired meter receptacles where needed to allow installations to go ahead.
“it’s seamless for the customer,” orford said.
maritime electric said it has installed about 34,000 new smart meters across p.e.i.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
orford added that the new system is the second generation of advanced metering technology and offers more features than earlier systems developed around 2007.
“i see it as a significant positive in the sense that we got newer technology, the most advanced technology, and then we also got a contribution from natural resources canada,” he said.
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vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
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