By Greentech Lead Team: Itron, a provider of energy and
water resource management solutions for utilities, is collaborating with
National Grid, an electricity and gas company, on a project to build and
evaluate an advanced smart grid in Massachusetts using a new generation of
standards-based network technology.
Both companies will collaborate to conduct field test the
multi-application capabilities of the new Itron-Cisco IPv6 based smart grid solution,
including advanced metering, home area networking and distribution automation.
“Our collaboration with National Grid represents a
significant milestone in Itron’s efforts to evolve smart grid communications from
proprietary systems to true, multi-application networks built on open
standards,”said Russ Vanos, Itron vice president Smart Grid Solutions.
Itron and National Grid will test system functionality
and demonstrate the interoperability advantages of the Itron-Cisco IPv6 based
solution by working in concert with third-party HAN and DA devices.
The Cisco GridBlocks Architecture enables the solution to
deliver these applications over a common network infrastructure designed to
eliminate the need for proprietary or vendor-specific integration of
applications and devices.
The system enables National Grid to evaluate advanced
metering; demand response; time-based pricing; in-home devices and web tools;
network monitoring; meter data management and presentment; and advanced
analytics.
“By collaborating with Itron and Cisco, we hope to
be able to assess firsthand the foundational elements of an intelligent grid
that can evolve with us over time. We’re taking this opportunity to test how we
can build a flexible and intelligent grid that will optimize the flow of
distributed energy resources, enhance the performance of electricity
distribution systems, and provide our customers with choice and control over
how they manage their energy use,” said Cheri Warren, vice president,
Asset Management for National Grid.