SmartSynch to Develop Universal Smart Grid Communications Solution for Utilities

Duke Energy to demonstrate the IP-addressable Universal Communications Module (UCM) providing WAN, LAN and HAN connectivity to myriad smart grid devices

JACKSON, Miss., April 30 /PRNewswire/ — SmartSynch announced today that it is developing a smart grid communications solution, the Universal Communications Module (UCM), for sale to utilities, to serve as an IP-addressable, external interface offering WAN, LAN and HAN connectivity to a variety of smart grid devices. The UCM is a ‘box’ enclosure, separate from the meter, and acts as a “wireless pipe” capable of transmitting and receiving data over public wireless networks using Internet-based or other open standards. Through the UCM and its use of public wireless networks, utilities can quickly and affordably spot-deploy smart grid applications, including load profile and control, power quality monitoring, distribution automation, and stand-by generator control; and support homeowner-focused smart metering programs such as demand response, demand-side management and real-time pricing.

The UCM uses Field Replaceable Units to implement a variety of networking solutions that may be replaced as technologies evolve. These include Wide Area Network (WAN) cards, which allow for a link to the Internet and utility customer’s back office; Local Area Network (LAN) cards, which enable utilities to aggregate multiple meters on WAN connections; and Personal Area Network (PAN) cards, which give utilities access to home appliances for remote power management. Other cards can be made available to utilities to support other monitor and control applications as needed.

“The UCM is a ‘future-proof’ solution designed to meet the needs of our Smart Grid initiative, with the flexibility to support the varying requirements of the broad utility market,” said David Mohler, CTO & VP for Duke Energy. “It fills a marketplace void for any utility seeking a truly interoperable and open, IP-addressable smart grid system conducive to remote upgrades as wireless and power technologies advance.” David Mohler said utilities deploying solutions dependent on proprietary technologies may not easily upgrade them without manually modifying or replacing entirely, each meter.

“The current legislative effort to bring our electrical grid into the 21st Century asks that Internet-based or other open protocols and standards be the foundation of the process,” said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch’s chief executive officer. “This is absolutely critical for utilities to interface with the smart grid solutions of the near future, such as Home Area Network technologies. The UCM is a pure, IP-based Smart Grid solution that will help position utilities to meet the power supply, quality and distribution needs of the digital economy.”

Johnston said utilities may deploy the UCM to perform a variety smart grid functions, such as:

• retrieving energy and demand registers, power quality and interval data from residential meters to support demand response, demand-side management, time-of-use pricing and other in-home programs;
• providing a communications interface for distribution automation equipment; and
• controlling commercial and industrial customers’ back-up generators during critical load periods to shave ‘peak’ and avoid manual site visits.

SmartSynch has been the leading provider of IP-based smart grid solutions utilizing public wireless networks since 2000. The company’s use of existing public wireless networks enables utilities to strategically deploy its solutions anywhere, in any quantity, and avoid building a capital- and resource-intensive private network to communicate with them once deployed. SmartSynch’s solutions are certified to securely deliver smart grid data on the AT&T wireless and other major networks, enabling quicker, easier, more scalable and strategic deployments for utilities.

About SmartSynch

SmartSynch has been the world’s leading provider of public wireless IP-based smart grid solutions for the utility industry since 2000. Our clean-tech innovations in the two-way delivery of real-time energy usage data over public wireless networks, in lieu of proprietary networks, have to-date simplified deployments for 100 major North American utilities, while enabling their clean-energy initiatives and delivering greater Returns on Resources.

As a smart grid infrastructure company, SmartSynch offers true end-to-end, IP-based solutions capable of delivering grid intelligence to and from any device. Our products and services include SmartMeters(TM) and SmartBoxes(TM) that immediately IP-enable the grid, software solutions, and network management services for utilities and their customers, as well as clean-tech companies in need of remote communications and control functionality for products ranging from solar panels to plug-in hybrid vehicles.

IP-based public wireless networks enable utilities to strategically and rapidly deploy more secure and scalable smart grid solutions with minimal capital expenditures. IP networks and solutions may be remotely upgraded to interface with new technologies, since they are built upon open standards and leverage existing programs and tools. SmartSynch’s IP-based Smart Grid communications infrastructure encourages rapid application innovation and delivery of new functionality by allowing the broadest spectrum of ecosystem participants to focus on providing maximum benefits to utilities and their customers. For more information, contact Media Relations at 601-362-1780, or visit www.smartsynch.com.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy’s Carolinas operations include nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides nearly 19,000 net megawatts of electricity to approximately 2.4 million electric customers in a 22,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers and natural gas service to approximately 520,000 customers in its regulated jurisdictions. The company has approximately 35,000 net megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, Duke Energy has more than 4,000 net megawatts of electric generation in Latin America, and is a joint-venture partner in a U.S. real estate company.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.

    Contact:
    Chris Myers, SmartSynch               Dave Scanzoni, Duke Energy
    601-209-1315;                         704-382-2543 / 704-382-8333;
    cmyers@smartsynch.com                 djscanzoni@duke-energy.com

SOURCE SmartSynch