RPUPlugged In. Watch for the RPU Volt! [jan 12]

Transcription

1 [jan 12] RPUPlugged In PG 4 FEATURING: 2 Introducing Your 2012 RPU Board Members 5 Smart Grid: Next Steps 6 Beware of Energy Mailers this Winter Watch for the RPU Volt!

2 2 RPU Plugged In Introducing Your 2012 RPU BOARD MEMBERS Board President Jerry Williams Retired Attend a future RPU board meeting to address the board, listen to board discussions, or just to keep up on the RPU decision making process. Dave Reichert, Facilities Engineering Manager IBM Mark Browning, Project Manager Facilities Project Services Mayo Clinic Roger Stahl, Attorney RMS Law Firm, PLLC Dennis Hanson, Vice President of Business Development Carpet One City Council Liaison/ City Council President 2012 RPU BOARD MEETING CALENDAR JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE Photo by Josh Banks. JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

3 3 Start the New Year Right Energy-saving Advice at Your Fingertips Be sure to check out our new website at You can pay your bill, find energy-saving tips, and stay current on all the happenings at RPU. You ll also be able to view the site on RPU mobile coming soon!

4 4 RPU Plugged In The RPU Volt Takes to the Streets of Rochester! It will be hard to miss the new RPU Chevrolet Volt cruising around town. The bright orange and yellow wrap ensures that it stands out along the streets of Rochester. It is certainly an eye-catcher, but more importantly it s an important vehicle to demonstrate to customers how electric vehicles and charging stations function. RPU has now installed three electric vehicle charging stations throughout Rochester. CHARGING STATION LOCATIONS First Street parking ramp RCTC parking lot RPU service center Charging station locations can also be found by using the ChargePoint mobile application and soon on RPU mobile.

5 5 Grid Smart Grid Next Steps Recognizing the potential of adopting more Smart Grid capabilities, RPU developed the following Smart Grid vision statement: RPU will prudently adopt Smart Grid technologies that provide customer value in reliability and service. The improvement of efficiency and performance in all sectors (customer, distribution, and generation) and the environmental impacts are the main goal of this Smart Grid vision. We have a strong start, but RPU, like other utilities, faces major challenges to meet the changing needs of our customers in a Smart Grid environment. RPU s next steps will be crucial in building a smooth transition. These steps include: 1. Educate Customers The utility industry is currently demonstrating that the average consumer is not prepared nor can relate to some of the Smart Grid terms that are being used such as time varying rate structures, market or green pricing, smart devices, and advanced control systems. RPU is determined to provide more education and outreach programs (such as our Home Energy Reports) that inform customers about the costs to provide electrical service, how behaviors affect those costs, and what they can do to reduce electricity consumption. 2. Expand Existing Services RPU has the potential to expand the services and choices already offered to customers, especially residential customers, by implementing technologies such as smart meters that provide them with more detailed information and rate structures that promote energy conservation. 3. Further Improve Reliability RPU has highly reliable service, but outages do happen. Automation and remote control on distribution lines and substation equipment throughout the system could further improve reliability. Monitoring system power through smart meters, adding remote control and automation capabilities to capacitor banks, and adding remote control and automated switching equipment could enhance reliability and quicken RPU s response time. 4. Prepare for Data Management Implementing technologies that heighten digital data and control systems and engaging customer participation could affect major areas of RPU s system. Prior to field installation of smart devices, RPU needs to consider the impacts and how to manage, store, and secure greater amounts of data and information. RPU will evaluate processes and information capabilities such as meter data management systems, changes to the billing structures, and customer relationship management. The goal of AMI and the core of Smart Grid is the two-way communication between generation, transmission, distribution, and customers. Smart meters, sometimes referred to as AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters, wirelessly send information about electricity use to the utility. These meters can be teamed up with in-home display systems that show current usage along with potential price signals from the utility, indicate potential problems with smart appliances, talk to thermostats, and basically encourage customers to use less energy when it s most expensive. Stop by RPU s booth at the Rochester Area Builders Home Show to learn more about RPU s Smart Grid initiatives.

6 6 RPU Plugged In Beware of Energy Mailers this Winter There have been a number of companies mailing out flyers or postcards trying to sell products or services to help people save energy this winter. The postcards and mailers are not affiliated with RPU in any way. When RPU sends correspondence of any kind to customers, it will be clearly marked with the RPU logo and will have RPU s contact information listed. RPU highly recommends researching all energy products and services before making a commitment or purchase. For true identification of where energy improvements can be made in your home, sign up for an energy audit through our Neighborhood Energy Challenge program. Contact Ashley Robertson at or arobertson@mncee.org. Remember Use Caution in Work Areas This Winter RPU crews are always on call to address any system issues that come up with regard to your water or electric service. Because of this, crews are usually called out in situations with high wind, freezing temperatures, snow and ice, or a mixture of all of them. Please use extreme caution when traveling in or near utility work zones. Safety is the No. 1 priority for crews and you can help ensure that they get home safe after work by using caution around utility work zones. Your RPU water and electric crews thank you!

7 7 Did You Know? RPU transferred more than $8.5 million back to the city of Rochester in the form of in-lieu-of tax in The RPU Silver Lake Power Plant sends 50,000 pounds per hour of high-pressure ( degrees) steam to the Mayo Clinic Prospect Plant where it s used to produce electricity and provide heating for Mayo facilities. The steam line is more than 3,000 feet long and traverses below the streets in downtown Rochester. The Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Visitors can learn about energy and water conservation, green building practices, and renewable energy. Check out the Cascade Meadow website for more information: ATTEND A FREE ENERGY EFFICIENCY WORKSHOP! Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Bamber Valley Elementary School Monday, March 5, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Gibbs Elementary School Reserve your spot! Contact Ashley Robertson at or arobertson@mncee.org. Attendees are eligible for a home energy audit. Auditors will also install products that can help you start saving right away. You ll receive information on energy efficiency financing and rebates. This $400 value is available to workshop attendees for a co-pay of only $40! Visit to learn more. Beginning January 1, 2012, manufacturers will no longer be making the traditional 100-watt incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, plus RPU will give you a rebate for half of the cost of all qualifying CFLs purchased. MMUA Scholarship for High School Seniors The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) will be awarding three Minnesota high school seniors scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 through an essay contest. The Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship Award program is seeking essay entries that interpret one or more aspects of the theme, Municipal utilities: good for all of us. This applies to municipal electric and natural gas utilities. Essays are to be original and from 500 to 1,000 words, typed and double spaced. One Rochester essay will be selected for state-wide consideration. Entries are due to RPU by April 3, For more information or to access the essay contest materials, visit the RPU website at RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

8 4000 East River Road NE Rochester, MN Working with residential and commercial customers to reduce electric and water usage and promote environmental stewardship. Our 2011 Conservation Goals were: CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Ethel and Harry Renner who won a FREE energy audit! Watch for future drawings and giveaways in upcoming editions of Plugged In! Electric Utility Goal 19,100,143 kwh saved 20,153,397 kwh saved to date Water Utility Goal 5,423,738 gallons saved 10,157,238 gallons saved to date RPU Service Center Holiday Hours The RPU Service Center will be closed the following days. January 16 Payments can always be made online at or over the phone by calling Images may be from one or more of these sources: Thinkstock, istock, Fotolia Rochester Public Utilities 105.5% to goal 187.3% to goal WATCH AS WE REACH FOR OUR 2012 GOALS! Electric 18,785,066 kwh Water 9,564,220 gallons We can help your home or business save energy and money too! Visit to learn more about Conserve & Save.