In the early days of the smart grid, most pioneers used purpose-built RF mesh networks for smart metering and distribution automation. In the past two years, however, cellular technology has emerged as a viable option. But when does cellular really make sense? I decided it was time for an update and so I’ve scheduled a Continue reading →
Raleigh, N.C.-based Elster has announced the expansion of its EnergyAxis solution, leveraging cellular point-to-point communications to enable customer support for electric vehicles (EVs). According to Elster, the EnergyAxis system now enables both mesh and cellular point-to-point capabilities in a single head-end system, allowing utilities to manage all of their endpoints in one solution. via Renew Continue reading →
Connecting the smart grid via cellular networks has never been more popular, and the industry is taking notice. From Itron’s purchase of cellular smart meter company SmartSynch to Silver Spring Network’s integration of cellular capabilities in its newest generation of technology, 2012 has seen an increased move to leverage the lower costs — and promised Continue reading →
Grid Net, the leading cellular smart grid software company, today announced that it has extended its software platform and added a wide range of new features to support 3G public cellular smart grid deployments. The Grid Net Platform v2.7, available immediately, brings compelling performance and feature functionality to both telecom carriers and utilities. “Grid Net pioneered the cellular smart grid model in Continue reading →
It’s not news to most utility executives engaged in smart grid and smart metering deployments that cellular is quickly emerging as an attractive option for communications networks. For those professionals responsible for making the big decisions, IDC Energy Insights offers a helpful overview of cellular’s growth, recent market developments and how utilities are incorporating it Continue reading →
Using public cellular networks for communications purposes is nothing new for utilities. However, the cost of such technology has dropped considerably, making it a more attractive option, especially for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). In the past, using cellular on a widespread basis was too expensive for most utilities. But today, the enormous increase in smart Continue reading →
Electric, gas, and water utilities have long used public cellular networks as one means of linking various field devices to the utility’s central operations systems. Until recently, however, the use of such networks in the utility sector has been limited in scope, primarily due to restrictive pricing and perceived technical limitations. Yet, a confluence of Continue reading →
From all the talk about cellular smart meters we’ve seen lately, you’d think that sticking a cell phone in an electric meter was a new idea. But back in the day — say, the mid-’90s — it was all the rage. via The Return of the Cellular Smart Grid : Greentech Media.
Meter maker Itron snapped up its partner SmartSynch this week for $100 million, a strategic acquisition that illustrates the growing importance (and use) of cellular networks in the smart grid. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, according to an Itron statement released Wednesday. via Itron’s $100M smart grid cellular Continue reading →
Meter giant Itron has made a rare smart grid acquisition. On Wednesday afternoon Itron announced that it plans to acquire smart grid cellular networking company SmartSynch in a deal worth around $100 million. SmartSynch has championed the use of cellular networks for utilities’ smart grid projects and says it has 130 customers, including nine of Continue reading →
Consumer Energy, who look after 1.8 million customers in Michigan across a 32,000 square mile territory, has chosen SmartSynch to provide an advanced metering system for a grid and meter modernisation programme, utilising existing cellular networks for smart grid communications rather than building and maintaining a private network. The new programme will mean that the Continue reading →
Utilities are increasingly using public cellular networks to support the real-time data communications of smart grid systems deployments, according to a report from Pike Research. The ubiquity, increasing data capacity, throughput and responsiveness of public cellular networks around the world makes them suitable, often in conjunction with private networks, for the machine-to-machine (M2M) communications infrastructure Continue reading →
Airspan Networks Inc., a leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced today that it has been chosen by Salzburg AG Austria, with integrator partner Zehetner Elektronik, for a Smart Grid 4G deployment in Salzburg, Austria. via Airspan 4G Network Chosen for Smart Grid in Austria – MarketWatch.
AT&T want to help utilities build a better future in combining electricity and wireless connectivity by offering their utilities smart grid products together with their wireless data services, all in one package. AT&T have launched a new plan whereby the utilities and wireless data services from AT&T will be provided with SmartSynch’s smart grid products, Continue reading →
For years, private radio frequency (RF) networks have ruled the North American smart grid communications market. Cracks began to appear in the dike in the summer of 2010 when Texas New Mexico Power announced it would use a public cellular network for its 230,000 meters. via Smart Grid: Smart grid communications game changer? Consumers Energy Continue reading →
Sprint Nextel Corp. is eyeing business from utilities as it rolls out new smart-grid offerings. On Monday, Sprint (NYSE: S) announced that it had partnered its wireless network and machine-to-machine knowledge with Neptune Technology Group Inc., a Tallassee, Ala., digital power meter-maker. via Sprint Nextel’s smart-grid offerings target utilities – Kansas City Business Journal.
The debate over whether utilities will want to build their own networks, or use cellular networks, continues. Now put one on the board for the cellular smart grid side. On Monday, utility Consumers Energy announced it will work with SmartSynch to roll out cellular-based smart meters for 1.8 million customers in Michigan. Consumers Energy says Continue reading →
Qualcomm Incorporated will be showcasing innovations in cellular communications for Smart Grid deployments at GridWeek 2011, September 12-15, in Washington D.C. The exhibit will feature multiple vendor solutions with embedded Qualcomm cellular chipsets, covering a wide variety of Smart Energy devices including Distribution Automation Gateways, cellular-enabled Smart Meters, Home Energy Management Systems and Smart Electric Continue reading →
It’s not surprising that cellular giant Qualcomm is bullish about the prospect of public carriers getting into smart grid. The difference between making the pitch now, as opposed to just a few years ago, is that today a lot more people — and utilities — are listening. via Qualcomm Pushes for Cellular in Smart Grid Continue reading →
Duke Energy is turning to cellular networks as the backbone for its smart grid. The utility detailed the network plan in a white paper released earlier this month, and revealed one of the most aggressive uses of cellular networks by the utility industry in the U.S. via Duke Energy embraces cellular for smart grid — Continue reading →
