Norcross Pioneers the Future of Energy in Georgia

11.15.2011 | Download PDF

City of Norcross council members recently voted 5-0 in favor of becoming the first community-owned utility in Georgia to deploy a highly progressive utilities program designed specifically for municipal utilities.  By partnering with Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) and GE Energy (GE), the City will be deploying advanced technologies that will modernize Norcross’ electric grid and power 21st-century economic growth.  As a part of GE’s Grid IQ™: Solutions as a Service  offering, these technologies will enable Norcross to expand its current capabilities and deliver an array of energy services that meet the community’s growing energy needs more efficiently.

“The City of Norcross is proud to take this first step towards providing citizens more efficient, reliable and sustainable electricity,” said Bucky Johnson, Mayor of Norcross. “Digital technology, like smart phones and i-pads, is driving energy demands and the need to provide better energy management tools. We’re excited to partner with ECG and GE Energy and look forward to continuing to work with them to deploy these progressive technologies. It’s bringing the promise of active energy management to our citizens.”

These expanded capabilities offer the following new services and benefits for Norcross residents and businesses:
• Faster response to power outages
• Access to more energy usage information
• Pre-payment options to better understand and control energy usage
• Online access to information such as home energy usage, usage patterns and billing
• Automated meter reading

A key partner in this effort is ECG, whose focus is on providing quality services to community-owned utility systems throughout Georgia. ECG worked with GE to develop an offering that would not only work for Norcross but also for other member utilities. With this new program, Norcross and other ECG participants will now have access to advanced energy management tools and hardware that will allow them to enhance their reliable and cost efficient energy services.

“We’re proud to help Norcross pioneer the future of energy in Georgia by teaming with GE, a trusted industry leader, to implement a better way to use and manage energy,” said Walter West, Executive Vice President of ECG. “The City of Norcross’ electric department is a community-owned asset that has been an investment in the local economy for the past 38 years. With these grid modernization technologies, city officials are continuing excellent stewardship of a thriving community asset.”

The City will begin deploying the first phase of technology during the spring of 2012, with consumers beginning to feel the benefits later in 2012.

“GE is excited to provide a new business model that allows Electric Cities of Georgia to offer grid modernization solutions to its utility members. We applaud the City of Norcross for being the first city-owned utility to deploy these advanced technologies and modernize their electrical infrastructure – they will be able to offer their residents more energy management services as a result,” said Mike Carlson, General Manager, Smart Grid Solutions—Digital Energy for GE Energy.