Equs AMI smart meter. (Supplied by Equs)

By David Opinko

Rural Southern Albertans to be connected to “Canada’s First Ultra-Rural Smart Grid”

Oct 9, 2019 | 4:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Equs hopes to get 12,000 rural homes and businesses connected to a smart metering system for the first time.

Communications Specialist Melinda Paplawski says, in addition to some small communities in central and northern Alberta, their project will include areas in the MD of Willow Creek, Vulcan County, MD of Taber, Cypress County, and Forty Mile County.

By installing Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), the company adds that there will no longer be a need for manual meter reads, customers will have their utility bills be more accurate to their energy consumption levels, and it will be easier for both the Equs and customers to work out any problems that might occur in the billing process.

“The smart meters will enable rural consumers to better manage their consumption with daily power usage data, allow them to more easily connect micro-generation systems, and will instantly alert EQUS when power is lost, allowing crews to pinpoint where the power outage originated and reduce the length of outages when they do occur,” reads a press release from Equs.

Installation will start this fall and will likely carry on until the end of 2020.

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“Our member-owners are looking to the future, and we know that sustainability is important for rural communities and those who live and work in them,” says Equs CEO Patricia Bourne. “We are developing and implementing innovative energy solutions that can power rural homes, businesses, and the industries that support Alberta jobs and families in the years to come. Our smart grid will be the first of its kind in Canada and Alberta and we are pleased to have received national and provincial support and recognition.”

The Government of Alberta committed $500,000 for this project, while Ottawa will give another $2.2-million.

These grants are expected to cover approximately 30% of the total cost.

AMIs will be installed across Equs’ service areas. The map shown below details which regions this includes.

A map of Equs’ service areas in Alberta. (Supplied by Equs)