THE BASICS The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is changing the way it charges for wholesale electricity effective October 2011. The result is that, along with other communities in the Pacific Northwest, City of Port Angeles utility customers may have to pay more. With the new rate structure, utility rates will change according to how much demand there is for electricity, so the time of day, day of the week and time of year all influence how much it costs. Electricity used during peak demand periods (6 a.m. to 2 p.m., except for Sundays) is the most expensive.
To help our residents gain more control over their electricity bills, the City of Port Angeles is starting a pilot project-called the "Voluntary Peak Power Project"-with around 600 customer volunteers.
This pilot will test a system that occasionally shuts off water heaters or turns down heating systems a few degrees when electricity is most expensive. This reduces the amount and cost of electricity used by individual participants.
If the pilot is successful, the service will be made available to all our customers on a voluntary and phased basis. Every customer will get to decide for themselves if they want the Voluntary Peak Power equipment-or not. This service is made possible by the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system being installed throughout the City.
BENEFITS This service gives customers a way to reduce their utility bills without effort and with little, if any, discomfort. In addition, if the project proves successful in reducing electrical demand during peak periods by the expected amount, the City can avoid having to pay the more costly peak rates.
It's a win-win: customers can save money, the city avoids having to purchase more power from the BPA, and the region reaps the environmental benefits of conservation.
PILOT PROJECT DESCRIPTION The City is setting up a voluntary pilot project for around 600 residential and small business customers where participants get a device that reduces their electricity use for specific appliances when it costs the most. So the City can understand what kinds of devices have the most impact, we will be testing several different ways to lower power use:
• 500 participants will get a device that shuts off their water heater temporarily during high-cost times
• 90 participants will get a "smart" thermostat that turns down the central heating system for a short period during high-cost times (and displays information about the participant's overall electricity usage from their outside meter)
• 10 participants will get a thermal storage device that stores heat during off-peak periods and gives it back when it's most needed
Most volunteers will not notice any significant change in their hot water or space temperature as a result of their participation, and they do not need to volunteer to use all three devices.
Participants will receive up to $120 in utility bill credits ($10 for each month of program participation). At the end of the project, participants will receive another payment of $10 for each survey completed during the course of the project (up to $40).
This pilot project is available for around 600 residential and small business customers who meet specific criteria:
• Own a single family home (residential service electric rate) or small business (general service electric rate)
• To test the water heater control unit: volunteers must have a completely electric water heater that is 50 gallons or larger, and less than 10 years old.
• To test the "smart" thermostat: volunteers must have a completely electric central heating system.
• Are able to complete online surveys using an Internet connection
PARTICIPANT APPLICATION FORM Form is to be completed by the participant. Please complete and return to Joey Currie, Residential Energy Analyst. Call 360-417-4715 or email jcurrie@cityofpa.us for assistance.
Voluntary Peak Power Participation Application
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Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is increasing rates for electricity throughout the Pacific Northwest in October 2011
Port Angeles customers will see new rates beginning in early 2012
New rates will be tied to the time of day, day of the week and time of year
New rates will be most expensive when electricity is used by the most customers (called peak demand periods)
Starting in early 2012 customers will have more information on their bills because of the AMI system
Bills will show how much electricity you use when rates are highest so you can control your costs if you want to by shifting use to lower-cost time periods
Voluntary Peak Power - Overview Voluntary Peak Power - FAQs
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Radio Frequency Emissions -
the RF exposure from a City smart meter is comparable to a cordless home phone or a cellular phone that is used less than 2 seconds per day. For more information about the RF field exposure, please read the info below.
Radio Frequency Emmisions Detail Sheet
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To help our residents gain more control over their electricity bills, the City of Port Angeles is starting a pilot project-called the "Voluntary Peak Power Project"-with around 600 customer volunteers. 
