Dominion Virginia Power has selected the EnergyAxis Smart Grid Solution, developed by the Elster Group, of Raleigh, N.C., as a key technology to enable its $600 million smart grid initiative.

In 2009, Dominion plans to deploy 200,000 smart meters in a demonstration program of smart grid technology. As part of that initiative, the power company is installing smart thermostats with the EnergyAxis System in a peak-pricing pilot program this summer. Dominion will measure customer responsiveness to variable energy prices and the impact on energy demand during peak usage periods.

The power company is hoping that households will utilize electricity more efficiently if they are equipped with meters that tell them how much power they are using at any point in time and how much they are paying for it.  

Elster has delivered more than 1.5 million smart metering devices worldwide with systems located in North America, Europe, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Elster smart metering system solutions provide utilities with energy conservation capabilities via demand response programs, smart grid applications and operational efficiencies. More.