ASSIGNMENT: Uptown was hired by Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) to facilitate the development of their smart grid strategy and to then guide the full implementation effort. This project began in 2007 with the execution of a broadband over powerline (BPL) based direct load control pilot project. Uptown worked with CMLP through the selection of the BPL solution provider, the selection of the smart grid equipment provider, the installation of the system and system testing. Based on the results of the BPL load control pilot, Uptown recommended a more robust fiber based backhaul system in 2008 and began the detailed planning for that system’s implementation. Funding for a town wide smart grid system was approved in May 2009 and Uptown designed the fiber to the premises and smart grid networks that were deployed in 2010.

OUTCOME: CMLP secured the required funding and support of the local community for the deployment of what is the most advanced smart grid system in the U.S.