Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) SmartSacramento Project involves system-wide deployment of an advanced metering system integrated with existing enterprise and information technology systems as well as a partial deployment of advanced distribution grid assets that equip SMUD’s distribution circuits with automated control and operation capabilities. The project also involves customer systems that provide usage and cost information to customers that educate and enable more control over their consumption. These systems enable more informed participation by customers and more effective management by SMUD to improve reliability and efficiency of grid operations and better optimize the use of assets. The project includes a field test of plug-in electric vehicle charging stations to assess their technical performance, vehicle charging patterns, and effects on electric distribution system operations.

Objectives

The objectives of the project were to implement an AMI solution for all residential and commercial customers that would improve customer service; enable the introduction of new energy efficiency, demand response, and pricing programs; and provide tools for SMUD and its customers to reduce their environmental impact. In addition, the advanced technologies are expected to reduce operational costs. This project established a foundation on which to build future smart grid functionality.

Deployed Smart Grid Technologies

• Communications infrastructure: Wireless networks deployed throughout the SMUD territory provide two-way communication for smart meters, customer devices, and DA equipment. Software platforms for meter data management and analysis were installed to organize, analyze, and make AMI data accessible to other enterprise systems. These systems provide SMUD with expanded capabilities to leverage interval consumption and voltage data to improve distribution system operations and overall grid reliability.
• Advanced metering infrastructure: SMUD deployed over 617,000 smart meters covering the entire service territory. This system enables automated meter reading, improved bill accuracy, remote service connect/disconnect capability, enhanced outage management, and improved theft detection. AMI data analytics improves load forecasting and capital investment planning.
• Time-based rate programs: SMUD has offered rate programs based on time of use (TOU), critical peak pricing (CPP), and TOU combined with CPP. Selected customers could opt into the new rate programs or choose to keep their existing rates. Additional customers were placed on the new rates but were able to opt out. The goal was to evaluate the relative merits of these programs in terms of load impacts, customer acceptance, and cost effectiveness. The aim was to provide customers with greater control over their electricity bills and reduce peak electrical loads.
• Advanced electricity service options: The project has provided enhanced web portal services and tools for customer information and energy management, control, and automation. SMUD installed nearly 10,000 residential and small commercial home area network (HAN) devices to provide customers with options to more conveniently manage their energy use. In addition, the project implemented advanced energy management control systems with automatic demand response (AutoDR) capability at customer facilities.
• Direct load control devices: SMUD deployed programmable communicating thermostats and load control switches that support load reduction or load shifting during periods of peak demand. Participating customers received financial incentives in return for allowing the utility to cycle major appliances and equipment during peak events. SMUD installed the software platform for a demand -response management system to provide more effective and centralized control of direct load control operations and to enable two-way communication and feedback with customers.
• Distribution automation systems: SMUD deployed automated sectionalizing and restoration (ASR) equipment, reclosers, capacitor banks, and remote fault indicators integrated with the energy management system on 171 distribution circuits. This equipment automatically responds to power disruptions by isolating faulted sections of circuits and rerouting power to customers. SMUD has reduced the frequency and duration of outages and can more efficiently dispatch service restoration crews.
• Distribution system energy efficiency improvement: Efficiency is achieved through integrated voltage control from capacitor controllers and the energy management system. The capacitors improve volt-VAR control and power quality; distribution capacity is increased through reduced energy losses on the distribution system.
• Plug-in electric and hybrid electric vehicle charging stations: Stations that provide charging for PEVs and PHEVs have been deployed at 20 parking spaces on college campuses and 60 residences across the SMUD service territory. The charging stations include meters and monitoring equipment to evaluate performance and charging patterns and their impacts on the distribution system.