Smart Solutions

Recent milestone brings you a step closer to big benefits

Each CGR has four antennas that allow two-way communication.

You’ve heard the saying, “big things come in small packages.” We can apply this to a piece of advanced technology we are installing as part of our ongoing efforts to build a more modern grid for you. In this case, the small package is a Connected Grid Router (CGR). Over the past four months, the company has installed 364 of these shoebox-size devices atop poles throughout West Central Florida, marking a milestone on our journey towards building a smarter energy grid.

Where does the “big” come in? Big, because the smart meters we’re installing at all homes and businesses cannot send or receive data without a nearby CGR. “The CGRs collect usage data from each meter and transmit it back to Tampa Electric,” said Scott Garvy, supervisor, RF & Control Systems. “The CGR lets Tampa Electric communicate with each meter.” The ability to send and receive data offers many benefits.  For example, with a smart meter, when a new homeowner contacts us for service, we’ll be able to send a signal to the meter and have service activated within a few minutes – all made possible by the CGR. This saves you time and offers greater convenience because you can avoid scheduling an appointment.

Other benefits you’ll receive once everyone has a smart meter in early 2022, include:

  • Improved outage detection and restoration. We will know when an outage occurs and will more quickly diagnose and repair the problem. Additionally, the technology will provide you and all customers with more timely, customized information on the cause and status of restoration.
  • More convenience to start, stop or transfer service, as these will occur remotely. No appointments necessary.
  • More information about electricity use. You will have the ability to manage your energy use throughout the month, set up alerts when consumption and bills are approaching certain levels and monitor daily usage through mobile devices.
  • More flexibility. You will have the ability to pick your own payment date.
  • Increased privacy on your property. Electricity usage information will be relayed automatically to Tampa Electric for billing purposes, limiting on-site or drive-by visits to read meters, to cut or restore power.

So, what’s next?

This map shows where CGRs are installed across Tampa Electric’s service area.

As we head into a new year, we’ll continue installing smart meters across West Central Florida. You’ll receive a letter prior to getting a new meter. No worries if you can’t be present. We’ll leave a door hanger letting you know we changed your meter.

One last thing for now… Be on the lookout for an interactive map that will show when and where we’ll be installing smart meters. We expect to have the map on tampaelectric.com/mymeter before the end of the year. You might want to bookmark this page that provides information about our smart meter installations, frequently asked questions and other updates that will eventually lead to big benefits for you and all Tampa Electric customers.

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