Silver Spring Networks, a provider of networking platform and solutions for smart energy networks, has signed an agreement with Smarter Grid Solutions, a provider of distributed energy resources (DER) integration solutions.
Under this partnership, both companies will create a solution that integrates Smarter Grid Solutions’ autonomous grid management technology with Silver Spring’s proven IPv6 smart grid networking platform, enabling electrical grid operators to proactively manage renewable energy sources.
The joint solution builds on Silver Spring and Smarter Grid Solutions’ existing engagement at the successful Flexible Plug and Play project, delivered to client UK Power Networks, the distribution network operator for London, and the South East and the East of England, the company said.
Silver Spring’s networking technology connects an array of distribution equipment across a deployment of intermittent wind and solar resources in Cambridgeshire, UK. This deployment also successfully demonstrated the use of the IEC 61850 protocol across a radio mesh field area network.
Smarter Grid Solutions’ Active Network Management technology monitors the electricity grid using data provided by Silver Spring’s field area network. The system autonomously calculates the available capacity of the grid and issues real-time control instructions to participating DERs.
The combined solution enables utilities and ultimately the end user to save money and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more reliable and more efficient energy grid, said Eric Dresselhuys, executive vice president of Global Development, Silver Spring Networks.
The project has delivered significant savings to UK Power Networks on the capital expenditures otherwise required to reinforce the project area, Silver Spring Networks said.
“In the course of delivering several successful projects, we have found that many utilities were making long-term grid reliability decisions without fully integrating their strategy for the underlying communications fabric,” said Gerry Docherty, chief executive, Smarter Grid Solutions.
“In order to run the next generation of distributed, intelligent applications, we need reliable, responsive communications infrastructure that doesn’t risk the fundamental utility business case,” Docherty added. “Silver Spring’s proven IPv6 networking platform makes them the ideal partner to ensure these criteria are met.”