Smart Grid – The Big Picture 

For nearly 200 years BGE has been delivering energy to power central Maryland. While the fundamentals of electric and gas delivery haven't changed, some of the equipment has.

Looking at the big picture, a nationwide effort to modernize the existing electric grid is underway. But what is a smart grid and what does it mean to you? You may know that an electric grid delivers power from the plants where it's generated to consumers through transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers, and switches. An electric grid is ultimately what you plug into when you flip on your light switch or power up your computer. 

The Smart Grid is the country's electrical grid for the 21st century: an initiative to modernize technology and equipment to make America's electric system more efficient, reliable, and secure. The need to upgrade the nation's aging electric grid has become increasingly evident. In fact, it's projected that there will be a 30% increase in electricity demand by the year 2035.

Modernizing the grid is foundational to transforming the nation's electric grid to meet that demand. Like the computer chips that help our cars perform more effectively and efficiently, modernized grid technology supports advanced energy management and conservation, while providing information and power so you can change your energy habits—if desirable—to ways that work best for you and your family. And a modernized grid will be able to fully accommodate both traditional energy sources and renewable ones such as wind and solar energy production. 

So how will the grid of the future work for BGE customers? It begins with a Smart Meter which measures energy use in your home or business. These meters enable two-way communication with BGE, allowing for more efficient operations and more detailed usage information for customers. 

Similar to the Smart Meter, there will be new components incorporated into the electric grid that will allow better communications and operations throughout the system. These improvements will help to better manage the delivery of electricity to where it is needed as well as provide improved restoration capabilities after an outage. This is what makes the grid smart. 

Soon customers will experience some of the features of a modern grid, such as tools to help lower monthly bills, fewer estimated bills, and remote account connection services so BGE will no longer have to go to a customer's home to connect the electric service in a new location, or disconnect service when customers move. After an outage, BGE will also be able to confirm that the electricity is restored to individual homes simply by communicating with a Smart Meter.

One of the first tools customers will be able to take advantage of is BGE’s online Smart Energy Manager, available in late 2012. for those customers who have a Smart Meter. Home energy reports mailed to your residence will also provide in-depth energy use information specific to your home. 

With smarter technologies in place through the modern grid, customers across Maryland will have more and more opportunities to conserve energy and save on their energy bills. 

As BGE introduces the tools that build a modern grid in central Maryland, we’ll make sure that customers stay informed. Look for information provided in direct mailings, advertisements. web announcements, events in your community, and your BGE Connections newsletter that arrives with your monthly bill. 

At BGE, we're always here to help. For more information visit us online at BGE.com/smartgrid for answers to many common questions. You can also follow BGE on Twitter and Facebook, and of course you can contact us at 1-800-685-0123.

BGE and you, working together to save energy, save money, and be energy smart. 
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