Building a reliable, efficient, next-generation power system in rural America
Smart Grid
We bring smart grid and communications together to help you make informed decisions and implement efficient, cost-effective solutions through technology planning, demand response, distributed generation, advanced metering and more.
Technology Planning
Investing in replacement technologies for grid infrastructure requires careful planning. Decisions made when replacing systems such as AMI, LMR, or SCADA will impact your options for future technology and your ability to meet changing energy demands.
AMI and Grid Communications
NRTC has deployed nearly 3.5 million AMI endpoints, using a variety of technologies and solutions. We continuously assess the marketplace to make sure we’re offering the best metering solutions. Our team of experts can help you analyze your current situation and determine the approach that best meets both your current needs and long-term strategic plan.
Solar, Storage and Wind
Cooperative utilities are responsible for meeting a continually growing demand for energy. Managing costs has become challenging with load growth, peak demand periods, aging power plants and intermittent production of renewable energy.
Microgrids and Resiliency
Fully integrated distributed energy solutions to help businesses, asset managers and utility operators control their costs and minimize their environmental impact. Expert engineers design every energy system in-house — from autonomous microgrids to emergency backup power to end-to-end energy efficiency improvements.
Volt-VAR Optimization
Smart Grids help you bring reliable power to the rural homes you serve. With improved communication thanks to a faster flow of data with advanced metering infrastructures (AMI), you’ll know how and where your customers are using electricity. This knowledge reduces outages, gets power back online faster when outages do occur, and helps you run a more efficient utility.
Insights
Suwannee Valley Begins AMI Project
NRTC and Itron representatives gathered last week in the offices of Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, Live Oak, FL, to kick off a major advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project. The multi-year deployment will eventually link about 28,500 electric meters, including more than 27,000 rural residences.
Resources
The Latest News in Smart Grid
Vermont Electric Cooperative Launches Advanced AMI Deployment
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Commenters Tie Data Center Needs to Deregulation and Grid Modernization
NTIA recently received comments in response to its investigation into internet data center facilities. There is wide agreement that the nation will require more data centers to serve artificial intelligence applications. Internet systems developers, such as Cisco and Open AI, said NTIA should encourage the development of smart grid systems to meet growing need for electricity to power the centers. Some said data centers could appear in rural areas, but it will require development of a technically qualified workforce.
Webinar Offers Answers to Complex Microgrid Questions
Many electric co-ops don’t know where to start when planning to deploy, operate and maintain a microgrid. NRTC and it’s microgrid partner, PowerSecure, led an NRECA webinar demonstrating that microgrids can be beneficial in the right situations and with careful customization of the solution to meet cooperatives’ needs.