Black Hills Selected Siemens and eMeter for Smart Grid Project
As part of its continued development of intelligent Smart Grid initiatives, Black Hills Corp., whose utility subsidiaries provide electric and natural gas service to approximately 762,000 customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, has chosen Siemens Energy, Inc. to integrate the eMeter EnergyIP meter data management system (MDMS) into its information technology systems.
Black Hills Corp. considers MDMS to be an integral part of their American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded Smart Grid strategy. The MDMS will serve as Black Hills Corp.'s system of record for all meter readings and meter-centric information, providing valuable customer service support, as well as critical information for asset and outage management. Siemens will provide configuration, testing and integration services through each step of the MDMS implementation.
"Siemens and eMeter have been steadfast partners for our AMI – as well as our AMR – initiatives given their industry knowledge, proven track record and successful implementation of Smart Grid solutions," said Terry Perkins, Black Hills Corp.'s director of Customer Account Services. "We look forward to an ongoing partnership that will continue to offer our customers accurate, convenient and reliable customer service."
As part of its long-term vision, Black Hills Corp. considers MDMS to be an integral part of their ARRA-funded Smart Grid strategy. Siemens has already conducted informative, hands-on workshops with the Black Hills Corp. team to establish goals associated with implementing the MDMS. Black Hills Corp. envisions a multi-phase approach to the MDMS implementation, with Siemens guiding Black Hills Corp. through each phase of the implementation using its PM@Siemens delivery processes.
The initial phase of the project focuses on Siemens' integration of the MDMS with Black Hills Corp.'s customer information and outage management systems. Subsequent phases will include the analysis and consideration of the critical peak pricing and the time of use pricing features available within eMeter EnergyIP.
"Providing Black Hills Corp. with the proven capabilities of the eMeter platform (MDMS) will allow them to transform key operations in customer service and field operations, which is valuable for both customers and other stakeholders," said Thierry Godart, president, Smart Grid Applications, Siemens Energy, Inc. "Siemens is committed to providing long-term support to Black Hills Corp. for its Smart Grid endeavors."
Siemens understands the complete energy conversion chain and is able to transform today's grid into a living infrastructure that is smart enough to respond quickly, flexibly and comprehensively to society's energy needs. Siemens incorporates solutions for commercial and industrial applications as well as smart homes, including building automation, IT systems integration, advanced lighting technology and energy efficient appliances for a comprehensive Smart Grid solution.
In October 2009, Black Hills Corp. was awarded ARRA funding. Each of Black Hills Corp.'s three electric utility subsidiaries, doing business as Black Hills Energy – Colorado Electric, Black Hills Power and Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power – have benefited from this funding award.