What is the Technology and Conservation Project?

Moorhead Public Service (MPS) is conducting a project that will determine if consumers will change energy usage habits when energy consumption data is provided to them. This project will:

• Include the installation of smart meters on selected homes in Moorhead;
• Provide energy usage information through the Internet and/or in-home displays for selected residents within project groups; and
• Test time-of-use rates for selected residents within the project.

MPS will collect energy usage data from these homes for one year and compare them against "normal usage."  MPS is looking to see if any of the technology that is available to these groups will result in less energy being used.

Why is MPS conducting this project?

There are two main purposes MPS is looking to achieve through this project:

1. Energy Conservation: MPS is interested in helping our residents use less energy.  As the cost of energy continues to increase, conservation is the most effective means to control our costs as well as the consumer's.  It is MPS' desire to have favorable results from this project and possibly create a program that will allow other MPS customers to utilize technology to assist them in conserving electricity.
2. Smart Grid: The buzz word within the electric industry is "smart grid."  We at MPS realize that smart grid is more than a buzz word--it is beginning to happen all around us.  What is the smart grid? Very simply stated, it uses "digital technology to improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric system" (definition from the U.S. Department of Energy).  Here in Moorhead, MPS is exploring ways that we can utilize new technologies to advance the electric grid. This project will allow MPS to test equipment and the effectiveness of the equipment before a widespread deployment would be necessary.

A project like this has been on MPS' radar for a while, however, with the award of a $75,000 grant from the American Public Power Association,this project is much more feasible.

Who can participate in this project?

Because this project is considered a "research project" MPS pre-selected over 900 homes in Moorhead.  These homes received a letter and introductory survey.  Interested residents completed and returned the survey to MPS.  From these returns, only 150 will be selected for this project. Participation selection will be completed by mid-October 2009.

Customer Informational Meeting, September 24, 2009

On Thursday evening, September 24, 2009, MPS held an informational meeting on the campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College.  At that meeting, MPS staff presented the project, answered customer questions, and provided an opportunity for people to sign up for the project.  If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can view the PowerPoint slides by clicking here.

A few of the questions asked at the meeting included:

• Can I request to be assigned to a specific group? Yes--you can make that request on the pledge form. HOWEVER, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in that group.  Because this is a research project, we need to make sure we have a proper sampling of demographics in each group.  We will do our best to place you in the group of your choice.
• How will participants be chosen since there are more than 150 total interested participants? Again, due to the research component of this project, we will be making our decisions based on demographics.  Priority will be given to those who have signed the pledge forms.
• What if I am a dual-fuel customer? If you are a dual-fuel customer, this project will only affect your regular meter.  Your dual-fuel meter, and all components running under it, will not be a part of this project and will be controlled as normal.
• When will I know if I am selected to participate in this project? It is our desire to have the selection process completed by mid-October 2009.  Packets of information will be sent at that time to selected participants.
• What happens if I am in a time-of-use rate group and my bills become excessively high? WIth the time-of-use rate groups, there is a risk that your monthly bill could get high if you use all your electricity during the "more expensive" times.  If this begins to happen, please contact us so we can work with you.  As a part of this project, all participants are paid $200, part of which is designed to offset any higher bills due to the "learning curve" of time-of-use rates.  One important thing to remember with time-of-use rates is the "less expensive" times.  Where there is a risk, there is a reward.  Using electricity during the cheaper times could allow you to save substantially.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact MPS. You can contact Dave Kahly, MPS Electric Division Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 218-299-5405.

Pledge Form

As a part of the Customer Informational Meeting on September 24, 2009, MPS provided an opportunity for interested participants to sign up for the project by completing a pledge form.  If you received and completed a survey but were unable to attend the meeting, you can complete the digital pledge form below to sign up for this project. The deadline to sign up is Friday, October 2, 2009, at 4:30pm.