Bellevue, WA and East Hanover, NJ, U.S.A. --- (METERING.COM) --- November 9, 2009 - Washington state utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has selected smart grid, demand management and energy efficiency solution provider Comverge for the utility's Bainbridge Island residential demand response pilot program, the company has announced.

The two-year pilot program, which began in October 2009, will evaluate how electric space, water heating and central air conditioning customers can voluntarily manage their electric demand during peak use periods. This type of effort could provide a viable option for reducing strain on the electricity grid and an environmentally friendly way to address the increasing energy needs of the growing number of PSE customers. The pilot outcomes and experiences can be incorporated in the utility's long-term planning process, guiding how the utility can optimally meet future customer energy needs.
 
"We're pleased to be a part of a program that will provide PSE with the insights needed to meet their individual customer needs and priorities while also allowing residential electric customers to be active participants in improving energy efficiency and reliability," said Comverge interim president and CEO, Michael D. Picchi.
 
Comverge is providing the load control devices for PSE's Bainbridge Island pilot program including ZigBee(R)-enabled programmable 2-way communicating SuperStat PRO(TM) thermostats, Comverge ZigBee(R)-enabled Digital Control Units (DCU) and Internet-enabled Comverge ZigBee Gateways to be installed on several hundred participating PSE residential electric customers' electric space and water heating systems, and central air-conditioners. In addition, Comverge's Apollo(TM) Demand Response Management System software will manage the entire system, and could allow for seamless integration of future energy efficiency developments. Participants will have access to their energy data via the Apollo Power Portal, Comverge's consumer Web interface. This consumer portal will give them the ability to more actively monitor and control their energy footprint.