In the past 75 years, electric meters haven’t changed much. But technology has come a long way. Learn what SMECO is doing to make the new meter technology work for us…and for you.

1. SMART
METERS
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2. In the past 75 years,
meters haven’t changed much.
But technology has come a long way.
Now, we can make technology
work for us…and for you.
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4. Remember when ET phoned home using a
record player and an umbrella?
(that was in 1982)
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5. Well, we don’t use record players anymore.
But we do have iPods and iPads,
cell phones, and the Internet…
and we still have radios.
What has changed for meters?
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6. Communication has changed.
What makes a SMART METER smart?
Communication is key.
Communication is key.
Communication is key.
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7. Any meter will measure usage.
•A smart meter will
send usage information to the utility.
•Your smart meter will
tell SMECO when the power is out.
•After making repairs, SMECO can
ping your meter to see if your
power is back on.
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8. When your meter communicates your
energy usage to SMECO, you will know how
much energy you use…
•Every week.
•Every day.
•Every hour.
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9. When we can communicate
with your meter…
•We save money.
•We save gas.
•We save time.
We improve our efficiency because we
don’t have to come to your house.
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10. When your meter communicates
your energy usage to SMECO,
efficiency improves.
•Having 15 people drive around
every day reading meters will be a thing of
the past.
•Work that used to take 50 hours can now
be done in 10 minutes.
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11. When your meter communicates
your energy usage to SMECO …
•Meter readers can focus on other duties.
•They won’t need to come on your property
every month.
Efficiency improves.
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12. We improve our efficiency.
You can improve your energy
efficiency.
We are…
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13. To transmit data and communicate with the
smart meters, SMECO uses the Sensus
Flexnet system, a technology that relies on
base stations which are located in SMECO’s
substations.
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14. • In 2011, SMECO installed smart meters at
900 homes and businesses in Waldorf.
• And we installed about 1,000 smart
meters at the Patuxent River Naval Air
Station, Webster Field, and the Solomons
Recreation Center.
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15. For the past two years, we’ve been running
the system through its paces.
We are using proven technology that is
Safe
Reliable
Secure, and
Cost-effective.
And we are ready to move forward.
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16. • We’ve explored all of our options.
• We’ve tested the technology.
• We are going to hit the ground running.
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17. As a co-op,
everything we do
is for our members.
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18. What will change?
After smart meters are installed…
Customers won’t see a meter reader
every month.
But you will continue to get your monthly
bill like you do now.
In addition…
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19. • You will have the tools you need to
manage your energy budget.
• You can go to a website to access your
energy usage information.
• You will receive daily updates about
energy use with information that is easy to
understand.
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20. When smart meters are deployed
throughout the system and the website is
active, you will be able to see how much
energy you use every day.
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21. When customers understand how their
energy use impacts their bill,
they will be able to learn how to
save energy so they can save money.
And these improvements in technology will
help us improve service to you –
our customer-members.
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22. As a co-op,
everything we do
is for our members.
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23. What is
SMECO’s plan?
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24. We filed our plans with the Public Service
Commission in June 2012.
•Upon approval, we will select a company to
install approximately 10,000 meters per
month.
•We plan to start installing meters in the
winter of 2013.
•Full deployment should be completed by
June 2015.
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25. SMECO will be working on computer
systems over the next year
to develop, integrate, and test
the Meter Data Management system
and the web portal for customers.
Check your monthly newsletter, the
Cooperative Review, for project updates.
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26. Before we begin installing
smart meters in your area,
we will send you a notice.
You will need to provide
clear and easy access
to your meter.
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27. Your power will be off
for 5–15 minutes
while we exchange
your meter.
The new meter will fit
in the same spot where
your current meter
is located.
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28. As a co-op,
everything we do
is for our members.
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29. SMECO’s smart meters are part of our overall
efforts to improve reliability for the long
term.
What else can smart meters do?
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30. Smart meters monitor and report
• Energy use
• High voltages
• Low voltages
• Power outages
• Power restoration
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31. • Smart meters provide a way for SMECO to
implement energy-saving programs.
• Smart meters communicate to improve
power restoration.
• Smart meters provide accurate, detailed
data to help resolve billing and usage
questions.
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32. As a co-op,
everything we do
is for our members.
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33. Want to know more?
If you have any questions,
just contact SMECO.
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