AEP Ohio submits plans to expand smart grid technologies to all customers

AEP Ohio recently submitted its grid modernization expansion plan, which would expand advanced grid technology benefits to all AEP Ohio customers, to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

AEP Ohio, an American Electric Power company, plans to invest approximately $700 million over the next 10 years in smart grid technology for the rural parts of its service territory.

The average residential customer using 1,000-kilowatt hours of electricity each month would see an average increase of $1.16 per month over the first five years of the plan.

“The first two phases of our smart grid rollout have allowed us to make the energy system smarter and more efficient while giving our customers more control over their energy use,” Raja Sundararajan, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer, said. “AEP Ohio is now looking to bring the benefits of these technologies and a more reliable, smarter grid to all of our customers.”

Under the plan, the company will install approximately 475,000 additional smart meters across the state, upgrade around 600 circuits on its distribution system to include advanced automation, and control equipment and install Volt Var Optimization, which automatically monitors and controls the voltage levels on distribution circuits.

AEP Ohio has also proposed expanding its existing data network to enable full utilization of smart grid technologies. The company has proposed offering third-party providers the ability to use this communication network to make broadband internet available in rural areas that currently lack access.