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By Kristin van Reesema
Project Manager, Consumers Energy SmartStreet®
Nationally and globally, the ways we produce, deliver, monitor, use and think about energy are changing.
At Consumers Energy, we’re asking some tough questions. What’s the best way to replace an aging infrastructure? How should we meet the growing demand for energy – and control costs? Is there anything we can do to help our customers become more aware of their energy usage? And, are we doing our part to protect the environment?
To address these issues, Consumers Energy is investing in research, education and environmental protection programs, and is strategically implementing emerging technology. One of these initiatives is SmartStreet, a pilot program in Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood. Launched in December 2010, SmartStreet combines smart grid technology, energy efficiency and sustainability.
We chose East Hills for this program because it’s an urban location with active pedestrian traffic. Residents and business owners have a strong sense of community and a high level of environmental awareness.
Sixty participants signed on, about half residential and half commercial. A smart meter was installed at each of these properties. Smart meters transmit data about energy usage wirelessly to Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy will be installing smart meters throughout West Michigan in the next few years, starting in the Muskegon area in the second half of 2012. SmartStreet gave us an opportunity to test this new technology and learn about the best ways to deploy it.
The smart meters offer a number of advantages for our customers. They are more accurate than the meters that are currently in use, and they automatically report any power outage directly to Consumers Energy. More importantly, they give customers detailed information about energy usage in near-real time on a website or a display device.
With smart meters, our customers can take control of their energy usage. They can go to the website or the display and see exactly how much energy they’re using ¬– and how much it costs. This data affects decisions and ultimately behaviors. When you see how much energy you use when you leave the porch light on all night, you remember to turn it off. When you discover that setting the thermostat on your air conditioner just two degrees higher will result in significant savings over the summer, you dial up.
One of our participants compared the energy usage data on the website to the dashboard of his wife’s Prius. In both cases, awareness of energy usage leads to behavioral changes; data leads to new, energy-saving habits.
To get all of our participants off to a great start, SmartStreet provided energy audits at all 60 properties. Commercial participants received a lighting upgrade, and residential participants were given an energy efficiency kit that contains CFLs, insulation wrap and faucet aerators. Energy-efficient appliances were given to selected participants, including a smart refrigerator, a smart washer and dryer, and a new furnace. We also distributed energy efficiency kits at Congress Elementary, the local school.
SmartStreet complemented smart grid technology and energy efficiency with two demonstrations of sustainability—the first public PEV charging station in the Grand Rapids area, available 24/7, behind Marie Catrib’s restaurant, and a small solar panel array on the roof of the Green Well restaurant. Both show our commitment to environmentally responsible ways to use and generate energy.
Consumers Energy has learned a great deal from SmartStreet. This education will shape the rollout of smart meters as we move forward and will also help identify ways we can lead our customers to greater energy efficiency.
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host a discussion of the Consumers Energy SmartStreet® Project at their monthly luncheon meeting on October 10, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., at Steelcase’ Global Headquarters Building, 901 44th St. Guests are welcome. Cost is $10.00. For reservations and more information contact Lisa Locke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit wmsbf.org