Consert Inc., an intelligent load management technology company recently released the results of the initial phase of its smart grid pilot projects for which, Consert leveraged Verizon Wireless' reliable 3G and 4G LTE (News - Alert) networks.  The pilot projects were taken up for Texas-based Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Both of these companies are in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority. 

As part of the pilot programs, both Bluebonnet and Pedernales utilized the Consert VPP Solution to empower Central Texas residential and small commercial members to actively monitor and control their energy usage through a smart Home Area Network (HAN) installed at their properties.

Under the pilot project, Consert provided real-time communication from a consumer's electric meter to the Consert data center using Verizon Wireless' (News - Alert) reliable 3G and 4G LTE networks. This highly secure network was trusted for delivering fast data speeds and increased efficiencies for utilities. 

The project was designed to create a more reliable electric grid by offering real-time, integrated load management through the pairing of utility and consumer offerings. Consert devised the Consert Virtual Peak Plant (VPP) Solution to accomplish this. The solution, according to Concert proved effective in tests conducted during the state's severe winter weather events in February and high daily temperatures in May. 

Bluebonnet effectivelyusedConsert's load management system in tests during the severe winter weather Texas faced in February which resulted in record demands on the electric grid. Consert's system reduced critical load as requested and provided real-time, measurable and verifiable results, the company acknowledged in the press release. The system, Bluebonnet hopes, could be instrumental in avoiding future outage scenarios.

Pedernales tested the Consert VPP Solution in May to determine the system's capabilities during pre-summer temperature days. During its control events, Pedernales successfully adjusted pilot participants' device settings as permitted to reduce load and test member behavior to determine the optimum control event duration in kilowatt reduction to minimize participant opt-outs during control events.

“These pilot programs were pivotal for Consert as we were able to demonstrate our proprietary technology to enable grid enhancements and member energy savings for Bluebonnet and Pedernales. We are well positioned with our relocation to Texas to become an integral part of the state's future in the electric grid technology,” president and chief executive officer of Consert Jack Roberts claimed in a statement.

Raleigh-based Consert, Inc signed a commercialization agreement with Wake Electric Membership Corp last February. Under terms of the agreement with Wake Electric, Consert was to provide the Consert Energy Management Solution, a network of hardware and software that uses wireless two-way communications to engage the participation of Wake Electric's members and improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of electricity delivery and use, according to a release.