Improvements in power reliability and street lighting energy efficiency

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is reporting improvements in power reliability as well as street lighting energy efficiency in 2020 from the increased use of smart grid technology. 

In addition, the light and power company is boasting that the new technology has resulted in fewer unplanned power outages in 2020. In fact the data showed that during 2020, the frequency of unplanned power outages fell by roughly a third from an average of 11 times to an average of eight times per year.

Smart grid technologies can be defined as self-sufficient systems that can find solutions to problems quickly in an available system that reduces the workforce and targets sustainable, reliable, safe and quality electricity to all consumers. Company officials trumpeted that there are thousands of customers, who very rarely experienced unplanned outages last year.

In addition to the increased use of the smart grid technology, JPS attributes the positive results last year to improved equipment management and use of more scientific approaches to vegetation management along the company’s power lines. On the negative side, JPS points out that while there was a reduction in the number of outages, the duration of some service interruptions were impacted by the tropical storms in 2020, which brought prolonged wet conditions, landslides and flooding.

Investment in smart grid technology paying off

JPS Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery Blaine Jarrett was elated at the fact that the huge investment made in smart grid technology is paying off for the light and power company.

According to Jarrett: “I am very encouraged that the investment in technology is helping to deliver an improved experience to our customers… . In previous times, the challenges that we faced in 2020 would have led to significant and prolonged outages. Now, we’re able to respond in a more agile fashion to address our customers’ needs.”

JPS has reportedly surpassed the 80 per cent milestone in the change out of the island’s streetlights for smart LEDs, with many of the parishes completely outfitted with them.

Jarrett said all-island coverage is expected by December this year. Approximately 84,700 LEDs are now in place, about one-fifth of them installed during the past year with the additional challenges that it brought. The upgraded LED streetlights, in addition to being more energy efficient, are also fitted with smart controllers that allow for improved maintenance and monitoring.

The replacement of street lights for smart LED, is being undertaken with parish stakeholders.