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Xcel Chooses GridPoint for Boulder Smart Grid Project

05/16/2008
SustainableBusiness.com News

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) has selected GridPoint Inc. to supply the key technology for its smart grid city project in Boulder Colorado.

GridPoint's SmartGrid Platform^TM will apply information technology to the city's electric grid to provide Xcel with an intelligent network that controls load, stores energy and produces power in the city-wide, pilot program.

The smart grid system--estimated to be a $100 million effort when fully implemented over the next few years--will provide customers with a portfolio of technologies designed to provide environmental, financial and operational benefits.

"GridPoint provides an intelligent platform to aggregate and control a variety of energy resources in the home or business," said Michael Carlson, CIO of Xcel Energy. "We'll be able to test and confirm capabilities to meet the individual needs of our customers while also deploying new capabilities for balancing supply and demand in a clean and efficient manner."

The platform's modular, scaleable and upgradeable architecture enables Xcel Energy to deploy proven technologies (e.g. load control devices and advanced batteries) while creating a practical path for integrating new technologies (e.g. plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cells).

Xcel Energy will be evaluating a variety of technology and system capabilities from GridPoint in conjunction with its SmartGridCity^TM in Boulder, including, but not limited to:

Advanced Demand Management--Measuring, controlling and verifying select loads (e.g. electric water heaters, pool pumps, home appliances) as well as adjusting thermostats within a few degrees
Supply Management--Providing capacity and energy by discharging power to the electric grid from advanced batteries (including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) or distributed solar systems during peak periods as well as recharging batteries from solar systems or the electric grid during off peak times
Solar PV Integration--"Plug-n-play" integration and operation of residential and light commercial solar energy systems, paving the way for the commercial success of renewable energy
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) Smart Charging--Charging PHEVs during off-peak periods, regardless of when consumers plug in PHEVs, which enables Xcel Energy to offer consumers significantly reduced rates for off-peak charging
Single Interface for Control--GridPoint Control Console, a single Web-based interface located in the utility control room, provides Xcel Energy with the ability to easily control distributed energy resources, thereby providing the equivalent performance of central station generation.
Online Energy Management--GridPoint Customer Portal, a password protected Web portal, enables Xcel Energy's customers to reduce energy consumption according to their individual preferences. The portal also provides easy to understand environmental data based on an individual customer's conservation efforts

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company with regulated operations in eight Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis.

About GridPoint

GridPoint Inc., a leading clean tech company, is the pioneer of an innovative smart grid platform that aligns the interests of electric utilities, consumers and the environment through an intelligent network of distributed energy resources that controls load, stores energy and produces power. On the Net: www.gridpoint.com.

Website: http://www.xcelenergy.com/smartgrid