ComEd modernises grid with smart meters

CHICAGO, USA: GE's Digital Energy business, in collaboration with Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and UL, has announced that its residential smart meters have achieved UL voluntary safety certification, making them the first meters in the industry to receive this significant mark.

GE's UL-certified smart meters are being rolled out as part of ComEd's recent grid modernization efforts, which include the installation and deployment of nearly four million meters across ComEd's 11,300-square mile, 3.8-million customer territory. GE smart meters, which have been shipped to ComEd for this project since August 2013, are said to be fully compliant with ANSI industry standards for performance and safety.  It adds that with the new UL certification, GE is providing ComEd and its customer base with an added level of confidence surrounding the quality and functionality of their smart meter installations.

"At GE, we're committed to designing and manufacturing meters that adhere to state-of-the-art safety and reliability standards," said Edward Myszka, general manager, meters, GE's Digital Energy business. "Our UL certification demonstrates this ongoing commitment and highlights the progress we're making to ensure our customers are equipped to build a modern, efficient grid and improve their overall end-user experience-both today and well into the future."

These technologies also can empower consumers by allowing them the opportunity to better manage their energy use.

As per Terence R. Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operating officer, ComEd. "By implementing GE's UL-certified meters, we are ensuring that our network is at the forefront of U.S. grid modernization efforts with the highest standards of safety."

GE's newly certified meters are currently being assembled in its Somersworth, N.H., plant. However, the company expects to have a new manufacturing facility up and running in Chicago by the fall of 2014.

"As announced last year, we will be establishing an assembly facility right in ComEd's backyard to help simplify the production and implementation processes of its smart meter rollout," Myszka continued. "As the project ramps up, the new facility will create approximately 50 jobs."

GE's Digital Energy business is a global leader in transmission and distribution solutions that manage and move power from the power plant to the consumer. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to delivering analytic tools to help manage the power grid, and providing uninterruptible power, GE's Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer.