Silicon Valley Power officially began its SVP Meter Connect© smart meter program, contracting with Siemens Energy, Incorporated for the installation and integration of a multifunctional Meter Data Management System (MDMS).

Contacts: Immediate Release

Larry Owens, Silicon Valley Power
Tel.: Direct Cell: 408.621.5873
Email: 4086215873[at]txt.att.net

Agency Contact:
Tom Mertens
Tel.: 408.234.6881

Silicon Valley Power Awards Electric Meter Data Contract
to Siemens Energy, Inc.

Phase One of SVP Meter Connect© Program to Begin Implementation

SANTA CLARA, Calif. â€" August 19, 2009 â€" Silicon Valley Power (SVP), the City of Santa Claras municipal electric utility, officially began its SVP Meter Connect© program following yesterdays award of a contract to Siemens Energy, Incorporated for the installation and integration of a multifunctional Meter Data Management System (MDMS). Siemens will provide SVP with the product EnergyIPâ€"an MDMS developed by eMeter and a critical first component of SVPs smart grid system.

Once installed, the EnergyIP data management system will automate and streamline electric meter data collection, lower administrative costs, and better serve customers by enabling remote data collection and augmented service delivery. Subsequent phases of the SVP Meter Connect program, including development and deployment of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), will enable valuable capabilities including remote utility billing data collection, better outage management, improved utility asset management, and enhanced customer services for residents and businesses.

The City is currently accepting formal proposals from suppliers for an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solution built upon a robust IP-based Utility Communications Infrastructure (UCI). Santa Clara plans to upgrade its existing utility communication and IT infrastructure(s) to create a working smart grid as it is conceived today, and to build a strong, flexible and scalable foundation for the smart grid of the future. At the same time, the City seeks a multifunctional communication system to support a fast-growing demand for remote and mobile, wireless IP-based applications for a diverse group of City departments.

Existing infrastructure includes an extensive local fiber optic network, and a wireless network supporting free outdoor Wi-Fi service to most residential areas of the City.

About Silicon Valley Power
Silicon Valley Power is the trademark adopted for use by the century-old Electric Department of the City of Santa Clara, California. SVP provides power to more than 50,000 customers, including Applied Materials, Intel, National Semiconductor and Yahoo!, at rates 25 to 45 percent below neighboring communities. SVP also offers customers a 100 percent renewable energy option through its Santa Clara Green Power program and is an active participant in the wholesale energy markets in the Western United States. Visit siliconvalleypower.com/green for more information.