Ameren in process of upgrading 1.2 million electric meters throughout Missouri

As part of its Smart Energy Plan, Ameren Missouri began installing upgrades for 1.2 million electric meters and 130,000 gas modules throughout the state last week.

These efforts began in St. Charles, Mo., but they will stretch over years to come and cover a wide spectrum of Ameren’s service area. In the end, these should lead to improved reliability, thanks to the new system’s ability to communicate two-way. What this means is that the grid and meters will be able to talk to one another, speeding up the process by which Ameren Missouri can identify, locate, and address power troubles.

“With a new smart meter, customers will get more precise energy use information to help them better understand how and when they use energy, which can help them use it more efficiently,” Jeff Esserman, director of the smart meter program at Ameren Missouri, said. “They will be able to choose from a range of expanded rate options, which will offer flexibility to pay less when using energy during off-peak hours when demand for energy is lower.”

The smart meters are part of the company’s overall, $7.6 billion investment plan meant to modernize the region’s grid over the next five years. Customers will receive notifications several months before planned upgrades to provide a scheduled timeframe for service, as well as to answer common questions. All installers will continue to practice safe social distancing measures implemented since the outbreak of COVID-19.

“We identified projects that will provide more reliable, affordable energy for our customers, and help reduce carbon emissions to benefit our environment,” Marty Lyons, president at Ameren Missouri, said. “Through these efforts, we are building a cleaner, stronger energy grid that will serve our region’s changing energy needs for decades to come.”