The purpose of the federal Smart Grid Investment Grant Program is to accelerate modernization of the nation’s electric transmission and distribution systems—the grid. This program promotes investments in Smart Grid technologies, tools and information, which will increase operational efficiencies and heighten customer awareness about energy consumption.

Idaho Power’s 12 interdependent projects are:

1. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI—smart meter exchange)
2. AMI Meter Data Management System
3. AMI Stations Communication
4. Customer Information System
5. Enterprise Data Warehouse
6. Integrations
7. Energy Use Advising Tool
8. Irrigation Load Control
9. Outage Management System
10. Transmission Situational Awareness
11. Renewable Integration Tool
12. Self-Healing Network

Company employees are working hard to meet specific milestones and the April 1, 2013 deadline for all Smart Grid projects.