Now that U.S. utilities have taken federal stimulus funds and seamlessly built out two-way advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) connecting utility control centers and end users (OK, not completely, but let’s assume that the “stall-ulus” becomes a true stimulus in the near future), the question becomes, what’s next? At the moment, this new “comm layer” or Continue reading →
HAN
Accent, a world leader in semiconductor integration of communications and metering technologies, launches ASMgridTM, the industry first Clean Tech System-on-Chip (SoC) platform. ASMgrid incorporates unprecedented wireless and communications technology breadth for single chip solutions. Dedicated to energy savings and optimization, the platform enables a new class of performance for emerging Smart Meter and Home Area Continue reading →
It only stands to reason that as new technologies grow, those who use them will demand the means of monitoring their productivity. The easiest way to do that is via the same method everyone seems to do everything these days: through online connectivity. A recent report by Pike Research shows that 49 percent of smart Continue reading →
Smart meters will increasingly be in the middle of home area networking, according to a report by Pike Research. Pike Research, which focuses on the cleantech market, estimates that home area networking (HAN) capabilities will be embedded in 49 percent of all smart meters shipped by 2013. In North America, HAN-enabled smart meters will be Continue reading →
There is an entrepreneurial and venture capital rush in building out the Home Area Network (HAN). Companies like People Power, Tendril, Google, Cisco, iControl, Lixar (bought by Gridpoint), Greenbox (acquired by Silver Spring Networks), Control4, EnergyHub, EcoFactor, et al. are all working on software and hardware pieces of home and building energy management. The millions Continue reading →
In the previous part of this blog (read Part 1 HERE), we discussed the Smart Grid vision. In this section, we shall see how the Smart Grid extends to the home network. It is important to realize that the last mile (the home), can extend to the ‘meter’ OR it can proliferate deeper into every Continue reading →
Abstract: This is a multi part blog about Smart Grid standardization. It outlines the complexities and the standards at the ‘last mile’ of the Smart Grid i.e. between the Smart meter and the home area network. This is the key interface from the customer standpoint. It is critical to partner with the customer and gain Continue reading →
When it comes to technological advancements in the connected home space, wireless networking certainly seems to be the way to go. There are a variety of different types of wireless technology to chose from, all specifically designed to enable data to be transferred more efficiently to various devices throughout the home. Recently two popular standards Continue reading →
Two of the industry's leading smart grid solutions providers, Comverge, Inc. ( COMV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), and Sensus, today announced a strategic alliance to support current and future utility energy management and conservation programs. The alliance will focus on integrating Comverge’s Apollo(R) Demand Response Management System (DRMS) across the Sensus Continue reading →
From the private homeowner to the business owner, the smart grid is not only a smart idea, it is increasingly becoming a necessary one as well. From reducing energy costs and usage to helping find newer and better energy solutions, the smart grid is going to eventually change the way that the world does business, Continue reading →
The ConnectPort X2 for Smart Energy gateway that connects ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a home area network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband has been introduced by Digi International. It is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with smart Continue reading →
QNX Software Systems, a Harman International (NYSE:HAR) company, today unveiled its new smart energy reference, a pre-integrated software stack that makes it easier to design, deploy, and extend smart-home energy management systems. The smart energy reference provides out-of-the-box support for Zigbee sensors, Insteon home area networks (HANs), streaming IP video cameras for security monitoring, an Continue reading →
Digi International has unveiled a smart energy gateway which it claims is the first to seamlessly connect ZigBee Smart Energy certified devices before or with Smart Meter deployments. The ConnectPort X2 connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a home area network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. According to Digi, it is Continue reading →
Most communications service providers (CSPs) are currently focused on offering backhaul communication solutions to utilities looking to delve into the smart grid, but that doesn’t mean they’re not equipped to offer more. According to Bill Ablondi, Parks Associates’ director of home systems, there’s room for telcos – amongst the IT companies and home-area network vendors Continue reading →
Two of the finalists in this Thursday’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition that I’ve featured thus far — Rocco, the Energy Pal (a kinetic energy-generating rocking horse for kids made from recycled plastic) and the Automan 500 Subwoofer (a speaker cabinet/ottoman for adults made from recycled car tires) — boast a certain eco-aesthetic appeal: They’re both tech-y, cool looking, and made Continue reading →
ConnectPort X2 from Digi International is a ZigBee Smart Energy certified gateway that easily connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a Home Area Network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. ConnectPort X2 is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or Continue reading →
Landis+Gyr announced the release of the Gridstream? PLC (TS2) module for the FOCUS® AX advanced meter. This new module for PLC networks allows utilities to select optional features such as ZigBee® RF to communicate with home area network devices. via Landis+Gyr Announces Commercial Availablity of Gridstream PLC Communications for the FOCUS AX Single Phase Meter Continue reading →
Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII) today introduced the ConnectPort(R) X2 for Smart Energy gateway. It is a ZigBee Smart Energy certified gateway that easily connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a Home Area Network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. It is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from Continue reading →
BuLogics, Inc., a leading designer of innovative, energy-saving technology products, announced today that it has developed the world’s first Smart Grid compatible Z- Wave wireless controller. The device, named the Smart Grid Home Controller(TM), allows connectivity to future Smart Grid meters by bridging the wireless technology of Z-Wave Home Area Networks (HANs) to Advanced Metering Continue reading →
The Universal Powerline Assn. (UPA), www.upaplc.org, Peterborough, U.K., is an industry consortium involved in the global education and promotion of open and interoperable powerline communication technologies. The U-SNAP (Utility Smart Network Access Port) Alliance, www.u-snap.org, Washington, D.C., is involved with efforts to create standards in the utilities space that allow any HAN (home-area network) standard Continue reading →
