The Public Utility Commission of Ohio (Puco) has approved a plan by AES Ohio, formerly Dayton Power & Light, to invest $249m over the next four years as it moves to smart grid technology.

The aim is to enable the deployment of smart grid technology for customers in the Miami Valley. The Puco order allows AES Ohio to move forward with its plans to invest $249m in capital projects over the next four years providing direct customer benefits through a modern, robust, efficient electric grid.

This is the initial step in AES Ohio’s digital transformation designed to enhance reliability and allow its customers to experience personalised, innovative and seamless energy services.

The order approves implementing the first phase of AES Ohio’s smart grid plan with a commitment to file the second phase within three years.

“This is an important moment for our AES Ohio people and the customers we serve, as the order allows us to move forward in our digital transformation to bring all customers innovative grid technologies,” said AES Ohio CEO Kristina Lund. “We appreciated the opportunity to work with all interested parties to reach balanced and fair settlement agreement to continue our progress towards creating a smarter energy future for our customers.”

AES Ohio says it will now begin:

• Upgrading to an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), or smart meters, to improve overall customer experience through better system reliability, performance and communications.
• Installation of technology to allow self-healing of portions of the grid, which isolates problems and automatically re-routes power without service interruption to customers.
• Implementation of rebate programmes for electric vehicle supply equipment and smart thermostats.

In addition, AES Ohio will prioritise installing equipment in the west and northwest areas of the city of Dayton, which were the hardest hit locations by the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes.

AES Ohio says it maintains the lowest residential rates of the investor-owned utilities in Ohio. The average residential customer in the AES Ohio service territory, using 1000kWh on the utility’s standard service offer, can expect a monthly bill increase of $0.94. The utility provides service to more than 527,000 customers in west central Ohio.