Over the past few months, we have shared with you the ongoing status of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project and how it will be an intricate piece of ECI REC’s efforts to power forward for our members. Now that the installation of the advanced meters is complete on all member accounts, we can provide our members with confidential, account-specific data.

This advanced technology has begun to collect and store electrical usage data, which provides a multifaceted benefit to our members. Through ECI REC’s easy-to-use SmartHub portal, members are able to not only compare their usage history, but also view current, account-specific electric usage in a more detailed manner. This information can empower each member to find ways to decrease their electrical bill by becoming more energy savvy.

If you haven’t already done so, download the SmartHub app to your mobile device or visit our website to access the SmartHub portal. Then, simply register to begin viewing your account-specific electricity usage by week, by day, and yes, even by hour. As our members become even more aware of the importance of cutting down on energy usage during the peak hours of 4–9 p.m., these tools will become increasingly valuable.

In addition to electric usage data, the AMI system will provide benefits that impact the cost of services to ECI REC members. This advanced technology substantially decreases ECI REC operational costs, and subsequently member costs. Cost savings include, but are not limited to, more efficient data collection. The meters can be read remotely, with instant data collection. This will eliminate the need to use employees or hire a contractor to make on-site meter reads, as well as the need to manually enter data to generate bills.

This new technology will allow more time and manpower for focusing on system operations. AMI technology assists ECI REC in determining the root cause of an outage, saving time on repair and decreasing outage lengths. On a sustainability note, AMI technology also decreases our carbon footprint for future generations.

Installation of the advanced meters will assist ECI REC in utilizing state-of-the art technologies to better serve our members. At the same time, it will help us reach our goal of a safer and more reliable electric distribution system.