News

2/11/2010

BGEnergy partners with CURRENT Group and Beckwith Electric to reduce system load

Blue Grass Energy announced today that we have selected smart grid technology partners CURRENT and Beckwith Electric to engage in a pilot project that will enable Blue Grass Energy to reduce technical losses and reduce system load by 3 percent to 5 percent.

CURRENT and Beckwith are leading technology providers that will help BGEnergy unlock the full operational and economic power of a smart electric grid.

Blue Grass Energy is a member of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), which is also sponsoring the project by providing funding and technical resources.

CURRENT will provide its intelligent grid sensors and its OpenGrid software platform.

The CURRENT applications will use Beckwith Electric's industry-leading regulator controls and capacitor bank controls to enable command and control of distribution system devices.

"Blue Grass Energy is looking forward to working with CURRENT Group, Beckwith Electric, and NRTC as we develop our Smart Grid infrastructure," said Dan Brewer, BGEnergy president and CEO.

"They are leading providers in their respective domains and have come together to deliver Blue Grass Energy an integrated solution that meets our business requirements for affordability, easy deployment, fast payback and demonstrable results surrounding the true benefits for distribution smart grid investments."

NRTC will monitor the project and share results with member co-ops throughout the country.

"Grid efficiency through reduced losses and voltage regulation can create significant value for our member electric cooperatives and their consumer members," said NRTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Phillips.

Blue Grass Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 55,000 member-owners in 23 Central and North Central Kentucky counties. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Blue Grass Energy is headquartered in Nicholasville and has district offices in Cynthiana, Lawrenceburg and Richmond. For more news and information, visit www.bgenergy.com.

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