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Posted: Tuesday, November 27th, 2012 8:55 AM HST

Kauai smart meter installations halfway done

By Associated Press

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Kauai's electric utility is more than halfway finished with a project to replace older mechanical meters with "smart meters" that allow utilities and consumers use energy more efficiently. The Garden Island newspaper reported Monday the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has installed 17,500 meters so far. The new meters will help the utility accommodate more renewable energy in the grid. The cooperative can save employee time by reading the meters remotely. Consumers can use the new meters to better understand their energy use. Some residents have opposed the meters for fear they could threaten human health and violate privacy. Nearly 2,300 Kauai residents have asked to defer installation. The cooperative is spending $11 million on the project. A U.S. Department of Energy grant covers half the cost.