LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will host the first of a series of community outreach and education meetings on Wednesday evening at their conference room in Lihu‘e. In November 2009, KIUC joined forces with a number of electric cooperatives
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will host the first of a series of community outreach and education meetings on Wednesday evening at their conference room in Lihu‘e.
In November 2009, KIUC joined forces with a number of electric cooperatives around the nation to secure a federal grant to fund the installation of advanced metering infrastructure and other smart grid technologies, a KIUC news release states. These systems can help KIUC manage and monitor its grid more efficiently. Since many renewable energy technologies are less predictable than the fossil fuel generators they are replacing, smart grid technology is essential for managing fluctuations in supply and demand.
In addition to helping KIUC meet its renewable goal, AMI will allow the cooperative to provide its members with a variety of new programs and services.
Mike Yamane, chief of operations at KIUC, will provide a brief overview followed by an opportunity to talk to the co-op about its plans for the Kaua‘i Smart Grid Initiative, the release states.
“The initiative impacts all Kaua‘i ratepayers,” Yamane said. “So we want our members to understand their rights as a member including the right to be informed, the right to privacy and safety, and the right to data security.”
KIUC encourages all members to attend from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Hana Kukui building main conference room, Lihu‘e.
Live blogging for this event will be available at www.kiucrenewablesolutions.coop.
