How often do you think about your personal electricity usage? Perhaps once-a-month when the bill comes in? Well, our client, Sensus Smart Metering, a Raleigh-based utility infrastructure firm, spends a lot of time thinking about the electricity, gas and water usage of commercial and residential users worldwide. Last week, I had the exciting opportunity to witness the installation of a Sensus smart meter in Largemouth’s backyard, and tell the media all about how the Triangle is quickly becoming the “Smart Grid Valley” of the east!

Sensus partnered with the Triangle’s own electric utility, Wake Electric Membership Corporation, to replace its current drive-by meter reading system with smart meters and an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). We celebrated this local partnership by inviting the media to attend a celebratory media installation at the home of Peter Mainz, Sensus President and CEO and a Wake Electric member.

Installing a brand new smart meter was a quick and seamless process for the Wake Electric installer, but both the utility and customer will reap the benefits of this implementation for years to come, as smart meters and AMI systems enable greater reliability of service, improved operational efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint.

Local media like the Triangle Business Journal and WRAL’s LocalTechWire stopped by Peter’s home to see a smart meter first hand and speak with Peter and Wake Electric representatives about the implementation and the prevalence of the smart grid in the Triangle. With over 60 companies in this area participating in the smart grid ecosystem, I’d agree we’re part of a rather clever web of companies moving this technology forward!