The Obama administration named 100 utility projects to share the $3.4 billion stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds will go toward the largest single energy grid modernization in U.S. history.

Utilimetrics Chair Elect and Strategic Planning Committee Chair Nan Williams of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation said, "This funding announcement represents an exciting time in our industry. We have just finished two days of strategic planning and know that Utilimetrics is well poised to support the companies who received grants, as well as to help all who participated in the grant process."

Williams added, "The entire stimulus funding process helped utilities take action to develop new, creative ways to enhance the smart grid and to refine their business plans. We are delighted to see that some of our members received funds. We will be able to leverage lessons learned and best-case practices from them to share with other members."

Utilimetrics CEO Joel Hoiland said that Utilimetrics recognizes the value that the Department of Energy stimulus program brings to enhancing the electrical grid.

"This funding will help enable customers to have a mechanism to become active participants in managing their own energy more efficiently," Hoiland explained. "Utilimetrics is a trusted information resource for utilities, linking them to their customers, and we will continue to do so with new, innovative programs and services."

Utilimetrics members awarded smart energy funds include:

CenterPoint Energy

Salt River Project

San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Honeywell International, Inc.

PPL Electric Utilities Corp.

El Paso Electric Co.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

NV Energy, Inc.

Indianapolis Power and Light Company

Central Lincoln People's Utility District

Madison Gas & Electric Co.

Southern Company Services, Inc.

Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC

Hawaii Electric Co., Inc.

Wisconsin Power and Light Company

PECO Energy

Electric Power Board of Chattanooga

Detroit Edison Company

Altogether, grant recipients are set to deploy 18 million smart meters, tripling the number of American homes with smart meters. In addition, funding will provide for 1 million in-home displays, 200,000 advanced transformers, 175,000 load-management devices, 170,000 smart thermostats and 700 automated substations.

Utilimetrics brings together diverse stakeholders of electricity, water and gas distribution utilities to promote and share best practices for smart grid/smart metering, communications, utility automation and data management. Utilimetrics believes that utilities and consumers must be closely linked to compel efficient and responsible energy and water management.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.