miPower - Providing You More Information and Control

Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative was organized and incorporated in 1937 as a result of the Rural Electrification Act of 1935.  Better known as the REA, the act was designed to provide power to rural America through the cooperation of owners of the electric cooperatives.  For the past few months, we have written a series of articles on the Operating Principles in which the Cooperative uses as guidelines to assist in accomplishing our long standing mission of providing the very best service possible at the least cost possible.

In earlier days of the Cooperative, we were charged with empowering the “new” users of electricity with “new” technology such as electric irons, washing machines, water heaters, central heating and air conditioners, farm appliances, etc.  As the world we live in became more technological, the Cooperative assisted in some comforts of the home such as televisions, personal computers, gaming systems and a variety of chargers to power items such as laptops and cell phones.

As these technological advances continued, Grayson-Collin has implemented them in our operations, too; so we could continue to improve on our mission of providing the very best service possible at the least cost possible.  We have embraced the “computer world,” especially in the past couple of decades by digitizing the maps of our distributions system, installing computers in our vehicles to assist in delivering service orders to the crews and using advanced meter technology to report readings to the office to save in fuel costs.  The list of these steps could go on to fill the pages of several issues of the Texas Co-op Power Magazine.

As this article is being written during the first week of May, we have been working to implement even better technology in our metering.  While the term “Smart Meter” has been around for a couple of years, we believe that this term has been much overused by others in the industry.  It has also been met with much skepticism as other electric companies have installed these meters on their distribution system.  You won’t hear your employees use the terms “Smart Meter” or “Smart Grid,” as we continue to implement technology to assist us in delivering electricity and to assist you in energy conservation.  Instead, we have chosen to name this new program “miPower.”

While you have always been in control of energy consumption through thermostat settings, consumers have had very little information concerning the actual usage throughout the month.  Instead, we have simply let you use as many kilowatt hours each month as you demand, then send you a statement based on the meter reading.  Unless you read your meter frequently or called to inquire about the meter readings being submitted through our current brand of automatic meter readings, the amount of the bill was a mystery until the statement was opened.

Through the miPower program, you will be able to monitor and control your electricity consumption through the internet.  The miPower meters will submit meter readings in fifteen minute intervals via a cellular wireless carrier much like data is delivered through an air card or smart phone.  The meter also houses smaller two way radios that communicate with devices installed on the home’s water heater, air conditioner and heating systems.  Upon installation of the meter and control devices, the Member can configure the settings for these three appliances to allow for the most efficient consumption possible.  Once configured, the Member will receive meter readings for the entire home; as well as, the devices being controlled.  You will now have the ability to see exactly how much electricity is being used by the largest appliances in your home.

Another added feature will be outage detection.  In the event of a power outage, the Member and the Cooperative will be notified that the meter has lost power.  A second message will be sent when power has been restored.  We believe that this will eventually alleviate the aggravation of having to call the Cooperative to determine if we are aware of the outage.

We are seeking approximately 150 volunteers to participate in a six month Pilot Program to test the miPower program.  If selected to participate in the Pilot Program, the Cooperative will install a new meter on your home, and we will contract with an electrician to install control devices on the water heater, air conditioner and heater.  If you are interested in additional information or in becoming a miPower Pilot Program participant, please fill out the miPower Participant questionnaire listed below.  We will send you additional information concerning the miPower program, and we will answer any questions you may have.

If the miPower Pilot Program results in favorable information, we plan to install the miPower meters through the Cooperative service area.  With over 36,000 meters currently being served, this will be a major project that will take several years to complete.

For additional information, click the following links...

miPower Participant Questionnaire...

Introduction...

Quick Start Guide...

miPower Member Link...