Illinois ComEd Customers May Fund Electrical Waste, Company Denies Allegations

The Hidden Cost of Electrical Waste in Illinois

A company that measures and tracks electrical grids across the United States has identified a troubling issue in Illinois, where the ComEd grid appears to be generating the highest levels of electrical waste in the country. This inefficiency is reportedly being passed on to customers, who are now facing significantly higher electricity bills.

Since a supplier rate change took effect, many ComEd customers have reported seeing their bills double or even increase by more than 100%. This sudden rise in costs has raised concerns about the underlying causes of the problem and whether it is linked to the quality of power delivered to homes.

Maryland-based Whisker Labs has been at the forefront of this issue, having installed nearly 1 million Ting sensors nationwide. Approximately 51,000 of these sensors are located in the greater Chicago area, where they monitor the resilience and energy efficiency of the electrical grid. These sensors provide data on the quality of power flowing into homes, offering insights into potential inefficiencies and risks.

Bob Marshall, an engineer and CEO of Whisker Labs, described the situation as "another surcharge that nobody knows about." He developed the Ting sensors initially to help prevent electrical fires after his sister-in-law's home was destroyed in a fire in 2015. However, the sensors also serve a broader purpose by tracking the quality of power entering homes.

The key metric used by Whisker Labs is Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), which measures the level of "noise" or "distortion" in the electricity. According to the company, higher THD levels indicate less energy efficiency and can cause damage to appliances and devices. Industry standards suggest that THD levels should remain below 8%.

Marshall highlighted the unique situation in Chicago, where less than 2% of homes across the country experience distorted power, but 40% of homes in Chicago do. He estimates that this distortion could cost consumers several hundred dollars per year. Similar patterns have been observed in the Denver area, though not to the same extent as in ComEd territory.

ComEd has responded to Whisker Labs' claims with skepticism, stating that they "strongly question" the validity of the findings. The utility company argues that Whisker Labs has not shared its original data or methodology, and it calls the claims about harmonics inflating bills "unsubstantiated." ComEd also emphasized that Illinois customers have some of the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest.

Despite these disagreements, Marshall believes that the data collected through Ting sensors can be used for good. He hopes that utilities and communities can use the information to identify challenges on the grid and address them proactively before they lead to damage or catastrophes.

Marshall noted that certain neighborhoods in Chicago, particularly those marked red, maroon, and purple on the map, appear to be experiencing worse energy waste. Suburbs such as Northbrook, Schaumburg, and Country Club Hills also show significant distortion, according to Whisker Labs' data.

While the exact cause of the distortion remains unclear, Marshall explained that it originates on the grid rather than individual homes. He pointed out that specific communities are affected, suggesting that the issue is systemic rather than isolated.

In terms of reliability, Marshall noted that ComEd's performance during power outages is relatively strong compared to other regions in the country. However, the ongoing debate over the accuracy of Whisker Labs' findings highlights the need for transparency and collaboration between utilities and independent researchers.

As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how the industry will respond to these findings and whether steps will be taken to improve the efficiency and reliability of the electrical grid in Illinois.