Ameren Illinois has announced its initiative to deploy about 780,000 advanced electric meters over the next 10 years in a plan submitted to the Illinois Commerce Commission.
“We are beginning a historic process that will enable Ameren Illinois to accelerate the process of modernizing its electric distribution system over the next 10 years in order to meet the service expectations of our customers in the 21st century,” said Michael Moehn, Ameren Illinois senior vice president of Customer Operations. “Customers will benefit through improved service reliability and a greater potential for energy savings.”
The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) initiative is a key element of the Ameren Illinois Modernization Action Plan (MAP). This initiative was made possible by the enactment of Illinois Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act last October coupled with the enactment of companion legislation in December. Both pieces of legislation enjoyed the strong support of many labor unions, business groups and environmental organizations.
In addition to the deployment of AMI, Ameren Illinois Ameren Illinois will create more than 450 additional jobs in 2015, the peak year of the 10-year initiative. Job creation is beginning this year and will increase until the peak year is reached.
In addition to jobs that will be created through the infrastructure modernization and improvement initiative, Ameren Illinois currently has openings for more than 200 full-time positions. Career information is available at AmerenIllinois.com.
Advanced meters are designed to support a number of energy management tools. For example, advanced meters support the option of purchasing power at hourly prices that are based on market prices. Customers also would have the opportunity to participate in future Peak Time Rebate programs that offer incentives to reduce power usage during times of high electric demand. Typically, high demand occurs during the summer months.
Ameren Illinois will use advanced meters to bolster system reliability. Working in tandem with a new advanced electricity distribution system management, the advanced meters can help identify distribution line and transformer overload issues that can be corrected before an outage occurs.
Furthermore, advanced meters will enable electric dispatchers to better pinpoint the location of outages without the need for customers to report outages. This will help reduce the duration of outages.
Advanced meters are safe and secure, transmitting only electric usage data and meter identification information. Personal account information will not be contained within the meter will not be transmitted.
For more information about the Ameren Illinois Modernization Action Plan, visit the Ameren Illinois website (AmerenIllinois.com).
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.
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CONTACTS: Leigh Morris, 217.535.5228, lmorris@ameren.com; Victoria Busch, 618.346.1286, vbusch@ameren.com