Over the next 3 years ending 2012, nearly all TX meters will replaced by smart meters – meters capable of both (a) recording data at 15-minute intervals to give a detailed picture of energy consumption, and (b) enabling Home Area Network HAN capabilities that move energy controls into the 21st Century.  HAN’s will enable load control and other features state-wide using a single standard.

As with any large deployment, features are being deployed gradually.  On 2/1, REP’s will be able to:

• Get interval data for ESIID’s that have smart meters.  This will most likely be automated through existing usage data feeds.  Contact ESG for more info.
• Establish administrative users that can go online and add ESIID’s, view ESIID usage info, request ad hoc usage information and more
• Establish and manage HAN devices, and control basic features of HAN devices

In Q4 2010, REP’s can throw away their Letter of Authorization LOA devices used to qualify new prospects, and turn on an SMT tool that will enable them to get detailed interval profiles with only the ESIID and the Meter #.

Demand-side management, time-of-use pricing and much much more are in our future, limited only by the imagination of the REP’s and energy providers.  Get out your crayons, and don’t bother staying inside the lines, because the lines are yet to be drawn!