Baldwin EMC Recognized by CS Week for Advanced Metering, Load Management Projects

Award for Best Devices, Data & Analytics Project recognizes utility and consumer benefits

Summerdale, AL and Atlanta, GA. – April 27, 2016 – Baldwin EMC received recognition for its grid modernization efforts – including one of the most advanced load management programs in the nation – at CS Week, the annual educational and customer service conference for utility professionals.

The largest electric cooperative in Alabama, Baldwin EMC received the award for the Best Devices, Data & Analytics Project, recognizing the utility’s deployment and use of Landis+Gyr’s Gridstream® AMI solution for advanced metering and load management. Baldwin EMC’s Cent$ible Power demand response program includes a variety of benefits and tools to engage consumers in energy management, such as a mobile app for remotely monitoring and adjusting thermostats and appliances.

“The implementation of two-way advanced metering infrastructure has transformed Baldwin EMC operations more than any other project in the co-op’s history,” said Alan Schott, Vice President of Financial Services at Baldwin EMC. “The key to its success was the involvement of cross-functional teams during the planning, evaluation, and implementation phases of the project. The advanced metering project has positively affected all departments within our organization.”

In addition to demand response, Landis+Gyr’s advanced metering network has enabled a variety of grid management and efficiency savings at the utility. Infrastructure protection, line loss detection and voltage analysis all work to enhance reliability and help reduce cost of service for co-op members.

“Baldwin EMC is well deserving of this recognition for the effort they put into testing and designing an impressive demand response and customer engagement program, while getting true value from their advanced metering investments,” said Clark Pierce, General Manager of Landis+Gyr’s load management business.

“I am proud to congratulate Baldwin County Electric Membership Corporation on the installation and success of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure, a Best Devices, Data & Analytics Project Winner of CS Week’s prestigious 2016 Expanding Excellence Awards,” said Rod Litke, CEO of CS Week. “On behalf of the judges, I can say they were very impressed with this highly effective load management program which has also significantly reduced meter re-reads and time to reconnect meters after payment, proving again how infrastructure investments likewise create tangible utility customer benefits.”

CS Week is the premier annual educational and customer service conference that serves utility professionals at electric, gas and water/wastewater utilities across North America and around the world. CS Week provides learning and networking opportunities in support of the utility customer service lifecycle: Billing, Credit and Collections, Customer Engagement, Devices, Data & Analytics, Field Customer Service, Payments and Strategies and Management.

About Baldwin EMC
Baldwin EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 71,000 accounts in Baldwin and Monroe Counties in southwest Alabama, including Alabama’s Gulf Coast. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

About Landis+Gyr
Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector. Offering the broadest portfolio of products and services to address complex industry challenges, the company delivers comprehensive solutions for the foundation of a smarter grid including; smart metering, distribution network sensing and automation tools, load control, analytics and energy storage. Landis+Gyr operates in 31 countries across five continents as an independent growth platform of the Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502) and is also 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). With annualized sales of more than US$1.5 billion, the company employs 5,700 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at landisgyr.com

About CS Week
Designed to meet educational needs and facilitate networking, CS Week plans and delivers professional, unbiased and cost-effective customer and IT services through ten diverse venues that support the customer service lifecycle for small and large utilities worldwide. Boasting the industry’s largest customer service/IT exhibit hall at its annual conference, CS Week also offers webinars and blogs year-round, showcasing utility success stories and providing opportunities to share challenges and solutions, all while keeping utility professionals connected. A 501c3 organization, CS Week continues to adapt, reflect and highlight industry trends, thanks to advisory panels that shape and focus the annual Conference and year-long content. Marking its 40th anniversary in 2016, CS Week holds fast to its core foundation: providing utility professionals at every level with valuable, current and applicable education, with an emphasis on "expanding excellence in customer service."

Contact
Mark Ingram | Baldwin EMC
Vice President of Energy Services and Public Relations
mingram@baldwinemc.com
251-989-0229

Dan Jacobson | Regional Contact North America
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Dan.Jacobson@landisgyr.com
218-562-5195