Pat Barcas photo
Commonwealth Edison CEO Ann Pramagiorre speaks about Smart Grid Technology Nov. 14 to an Aurora Chamber of Commerce gathering of local politicians and business owners.
By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012
NORTH AURORA — It’s time for Commonwealth Edison to play catch up to newer technology such as Onstar, smart phones, and wireless communication.
ComEd CEO Ann Pramagiorre said the company is currently revolutionizing itself with Smart Grid technology, technology that, combined with new regulations, will minimize downtime and power outages in the future.
“The dilemma we have is, the grid was designed 100 years ago, for an economy that peaked 50 years ago, and hasn’t adapted to technology that changed 20 years ago,” she said. “The grid needs to evolve to meet new technology.”
Pramagiorre spoke Nov. 14 in North Aurora to an Aurora Chamber of Commerce gathering of local politicians and business owners. She said she wanted to offer a new perspective on the energy company and talk about the Illinois energy model for the future.
“Consider this, Onstar can turn your car on from 50 miles away, but we don’t know your power is out until you call us. It’s time to join the smart tech revolution,” she said.
Pramagiorre came to ComEd in 1998 and began her job as CEO in February 2012, saying that the company has already laid infrastructure and made agreements that will improve the cost of energy distribution to Aurora.
ComEd already has a deal set up where towns can broker energy through cheaper sources, and use the company’s infrastructure to deliver it, saving customers money
“We’re glad to see the efforts by ComEd to modernize,” said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner. “It’s not a sexy thing to do, a lot of the times it’s not even visible, but it’s vital to the community.”
Pramagiorre said that her company faces unique challenges because it often only gets feedback when conditions are at their worst.
“The issues are complicated, and they often evoke emotion. Having a forum like this is very important to us,” she said. “Does our energy policy provide the capability to accelerate through a turn in the road?”
Owing to the digital revolution, she said currently it’s hard to find a factory not using robots in their manufacturing process, and health care is going more and more digital in their diagnosis methods. It all translates for a need for cleaner, more reliable power, an area where ComEd is stepping up service. This means cheaper, more efficient power for all customers large and small.
“Aurora is capturing its share of the digital economy. Our region is fast becoming known as the silicon prairie,” she said. “Everyone banks, shops and even takes classes online, but why does that matter? It matters because you need a companion grid and energy policy that goes along with the new way of living.”
The CEO said she is excited for the future of energy in Illinois.
“I think Illinois has an innovative model for the future,” said Pramagiorre. “The Smart Grid will provide great accountability for us as a company. Fewer outages, less downtime, or we face penalties. It’s in the legislation.”
Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.