American Water Works Launches Smart Grid Partnership

American Water Works Co. Inc. has announced a partnership with ENBALA Power Networks. The partnership is a result of the company’s Innovation Development Process and establishes American Water as the first U.S. water utility to use ENBALA’s smart grid technology.  

ENBALA’s innovative technology connects the demand-side assets of industrial and institutional electricity users to the smart grid to provide grid balance to electricity system operators. The technology manages the way electrical equipment uses power without impacting the efficiency of its process or its operational costs.

Instead of adjusting generation to match minute-by-minute changes in demand, the ENBALA Power Network adjusts demand so that generation can be operated at optimal levels and efficiency. This provides the next generation of network-based management services to regional Independent system operators.

Participation in this technology provides a cost benefit to the company, in exchange for delivering grid balance in real-time through the ENBALA Power Network.

American Water and ENBALA completed successful pilot programs at Pennsylvania American Water’s Shire Oaks pumping station.
 

Source: American Water Works Co. Inc.