Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who's paying for the SmartGrid project?
KCP&L has received a $24 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to install the new industry-leading electric technology in the project area. That amount will be matched by KCP&L and our project partners for a total investment of $48 million in the smart grid area.

Why sponsor this project?
The smart grid project will identify customer needs and usage patterns. It will also provide KCP&L with information on the new storage capabilities, supply and delivery.

All of this information will reduce outages and shorten service interruptions, reduce energy delivery costs and enhance information flow for all of KCP&L's service territory. The smart grid demonstration improvements will enhance service for the entire Midtown area through improved service reliability, reduced energy delivery costs, more efficient energy consumption, an improved carbon footprint and better information flow.

How did you decide where to place the project?
We selected the urban core for the project because that is where the need is the greatest, and KCP&L is committed to improving life in the communities we serve. The project includes the Green Impact Zone, which provided us the opportunity to work with other partners (the city, utilities and neighborhood groups) to achieve a greater overall impact than any one group or company could on its own.

How will this project benefit customers?
KCP&L SmartGrid will help customers:

  • understand how to use their energy in more cost-effective ways
  • actively participate in decision about their energy use

Today, customers see their electric usage on a monthly basis when they receive their bill. The smart grid will provide data in near real-time as they consume electricity. Imagine going to the gas station and buying gas for a month without seeing how much gas you were buying. A big bill at month's end gives customers no time to manage their consumption. Now think of how people actually buy gas for their car. They see what they're paying each time they buy gas. This gives them the power to make changes when they need to. They might decide to car pool or combine trips when they run errands. Smart grid technology will give customers information throughout the month and also provide new energy efficiency tools to help them manage their energy consumption.

The smart grid will also provide a more resilient and stable energy grid that is less prone to outages, with better power delivery, reliability and environmental benefits.

Do customers have to wait on these new technologies to start energy cost savings?
No, here are some things you can do now:

  • Turn off any lights, the TV or sound systems when you are the last one to leave a room.
  • Install a programmable Energy Optimizer thermostat. Program it to lower (in winter) or raise (in summer) the temperature when no one is at home during the day and to return it to the preferred setting a half hour before you return home. Program it also to reduce or raise the temperature after everyone is in bed at night and to return it to your preferred setting a half hour before you usually rise. The Energy Optimizer thermostat also enables customers to program different settings for the weekends.
  • Ask KCP&L what other energy saving products and services the company offers that could help with energy cost savings.
  • Weatherize your home or business. Begin by eliminating air gaps. For example, a 1/8 inch gap at the bottom of a front or back door admits as much air as a 2 inch by 2 inch hole in an exterior wall.
    • Add weather strip to your doors
    • Caulk all windows
    • Use sealing foam to fill any big holes in the foundation or exterior walls
    • Caulk basement windows that aren't tightly sealed and cover them with clear plastic

How do I sign up to get the MySmart Portal, MySmart Display or MySmart Thermostat in my home?
For MySmart Display and MySmart Thermostat you can either visit our website at www.kcplsmartgrid.com and sign up with an online enrollment form or by calling 1(800) 535-7687. MySmart Thermostat requires an appointment for the technician to come in and install it. For MySmart Portal, you can sign up online via AcccountLink at www.kcplsmartgrid.com. The registration is located in the top right-hand corner of the home page.

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