Home automation firm Vivint has opened a smart-grid training center for technicians who will be installing smart meters, home area networks, load control devices, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and other advanced technologies.

The 10,000-square-foot facility in Austin, Texas, is the first training center of its kind, according to Vivint. It houses two fully equipped model smart homes outfitted with Vivint’s home automation, energy and security solutions.

“It is very important that the data provided by a smart-grid system be reliable and accurate,” said Richard Guerra, vice president of Vivint’s smart grid division, who will oversee the facility. “This all starts with a quality installation. AMI vendors and utilities are demanding a higher level of quality when it comes to the deployment of their meters or ‘cash registers.’ If we want utilities and their customers to build the trust necessary for large-scale smart grid adoption and the incredible benefits it can bring, we must improve their experience dramatically.”

The training process at the center will also cover safety aspects, meter reading, handheld use, work order management and customer service skills. Technicians will receive extensive practical training in identifying and exchanging electric and water meters correctly as well as the retrofit process for water and gas. In addition to smart grid-training, Vivint technicians will receive training on home area network, security, load control, energy and home automation installation.

Only installers who successfully complete the entire training program will be certified and deployed to a customer site.

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