2016 ASHRAE Annual Conference

As an energy delivery public utility, Ameren is responsible for the grid components that carry power to your  business. We've been incorporating smart grid improvements into the distribution system for years - with a focus on improving reliability and reducing outages. As part of our infrastructure improvements, we will be implementing even more projects, including: advanced customer meters, automated switches and controls, and training for our employees to ensure that electric and gas service is there when needed. The presentation will highlight where Ameren stands in the deployment of smart grid technology and what that means for building owners, operators and designers.

Task tuning is an innovative approach to lighting control in commercial buildings that is growing in popularity. It has the potential to save energy without decreasing occupant satisfaction because many commercial spaces are over lit. More widespread adoption of dimmable ballasts and LED lighting would create more opportunities to apply this simple control strategy that may help satisfy a client’s efficiency goals. In addition, the combination of smart grids and increasingly sophisticated lighting controls opens up the possibilities of using this strategy for demand response and energy cost management. We will define proper task tuning techniques and other best practices.

Consumers Energy’s Smart Energy Program will allow for an enhanced and exciting level of communication between our company and our customers. Installations for residential customers began in late 2012 and commercial and industrial customer smart meter upgrades began in early 2015 and continue through 2017. In the future, customers will also have the ability to sign up for money saving programs. This presentation highlights opportunities and next steps for the utility and its customers through smart grid implementation.