Greentech Lead America: Guam Power Authority (GPA) has
selected Tropos Networks, a provider of wireless IP broadband networks, as the
network communications vendor for the utility’s smart grid project in the Guam
island.
GPA will deploy the Tropos GridCom network to support
GPA’s smart grid rollout in 2012.
The Tropos GridCom network addresses their existing and
future needs.
Moreover, GPA will leverage their Tropos GridCom network
to backhaul smart meter data, automate switches and reclosers in their
distribution system.
GPA selected the Tropos GridCom wireless communication
system to achieve maximum benefit from its investment in AMI and other smart
grid technologies.
GPA has received financial support from Smart Grid
Investment Grant (SGIG) funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
GPA’s GridCom network will transfer data between smart
meter data collectors and intelligent distribution automation devices in the
field and smart grid application software located in GPA’s corporate data
center and its system control center.
“We chose a Tropos GridCom network because it
supports communications for many smart grid applications simultaneously and its
coverage enables connectivity for all of the smart grid devices we plan to
deploy in the field,” said Joaquin C. Flores, general manager of GPA.
“Guam Power Authority is taking a modern approach to
their smart grid program by implementing a standards-based wireless IP network
that supports many different smart grid applications,” said Tom Ayers,
president and chief executive officer, Tropos Networks.
GPA’s solution provides automation to the island’s
electric distribution system, smart electric meters to more than 45,000
customers, and the infrastructure necessary to support two-way flow of energy
and information.
Half of the initiative’s overall $34 million cost is
being underwritten by SGIG funds with the remainder contributed through bond
financing.
The Tropos portion of the broader $34 million GPA smart
grid program is expected to pump more than $1 million into Guam’s economy
through the purchase of goods and services from local companies. The Tropos
GridCom network implementation is projected to create up to 10 full-time jobs
on the island.