Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative has selected Landis+Gyr to provide smart grid and metering technology as part of the its advanced grid initiative.

Based in Wisconsin, Polk-Burnett is replacing its legacy metering system with Landis+Gyr’s Gridstream RF mesh network that enables AMI, distribution automation and customer engagement support. The two-year project includes deployment of RF network infrastructure and more than 26,000 residential and commercial meters. The cooperative also plans to add distribution automation devices and load management switches to the network in the future.

“Our first priority is member service and continuing to be able to provide value for our investments,” said Todd Schulte, member services manager at Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative. “So our focus is on reliability and keeping up with changing energy requirements, while also being able to offer programmes for our members to save energy and lower costs. As we continue to expand programmes for energy efficiency, the information and control provided by smart grid devices become even more important for maintaining power quality and reliable service.”

Polk-Burnett has a high number of seasonal residents in its service territory and relies on technology to automate a variety of functions. Landis+Gyr’s Gridstream system integrates with Polk Burnett’s back office applications to share energy data across functions at the utility, while supporting the utility’s customer portal, prepayment programme and outage alert messages.

From outage management and prevention to customer service and resource planning, the data from advanced meters and grid edge intelligence sensors provide an accurate picture of grid operations and help manage power costs more effectively.

“Landis+Gyr’s longstanding relationship with Polk-Burnett has helped us better understand how cooperatives are using data to manage their distribution systems and member services,” said Jim Richardson, senior director of sales at Landis+Gyr. “With Gridstream, the utility is able to improve the speed, quality and reliability of service for all members, while also helping customer engagement with timely data and alerts for seasonal residents. We look forward to being a part of their grid modernisation programme into the future.”

Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative in north-western Wisconsin. The co-op was established by member-owners in 1938 to bring electricity to rural families, farms and businesses. Today, it serves more than 21,000 electric members and 4000 propane users.

Swiss firm Landis+Gyr is a provider of integrated energy management for the utility sector. With sales of $1.7bn in 2019, it employs around 5500 people in over 30 countries across five continents.