Nokia Extends IP/MPLS for Power Distribution Smart Grids

Nokia introduced its 7705 SAR-Hm, an LTE/3G wireless router aimed bring IP/MPLS to the distribution networks of utilities and other vertical applications.

Nokia noted that many power utilities currently use narrowband or proprietary wireless solutions to connect their field devices to each other and the control center, with most remote devices have no connectivity at all.

The SAR-Hm uses standards-based LTE/3G and IP/MPLS technologies, and security features in both hardware and software implementations, including Network Group Encryption (NGE).  The SAR Hm expands Nokia's mission critical WAN solution set, already deployed in over 100 utility customers globally.

Sri Reddy, head of the IP Routing and Packet Core Business Unit for Nokia, said: "Power utilities worldwide are in the midst of a significant transformation as they gear up to meet new market forces, green environmental regulations and disruptive renewable energy technologies. Grid reliability, power quality and automation are all key areas that will require improved field area networks. We are excited to offer our utility customers wireless options for extending the proven, secure and reliable IP/MPLS services of our Service Router portfolio. This will not only allow them to modernize their field area operations with more automation and monitoring for improved grid reliability and power quality, it will position them well to maximize tomorrow's opportunities."

http://www.nokia.com

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Video - Wanda Reder: Connecting Everything

New technologies are hitting the market that enable self-healing in the power network and rollout of Smart Grids.

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Video: ComEd's Sainab Ninalowo - Bringing Utilities into the 21st Century

Sainab Ninalowo, Smartgrid Engineer with ComEd, talks about bringing the utility industry into the 21st century. By leveraging the physical grid, as well as the social grid that now exists on top, the power company can provide a smarter service that benefits the customer.

See Video:  https://youtu.be/C7FCM8LrTQo

 

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Con Edison Picks Silver Spring for Smart Grid and IoT

Con Edison and Orange & Rockland (O&R) Utilities, both regulated operating companies of Consolidated Edison, selected Silver Spring to support its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) plan for electric and gas customers. The program is expected to connect approximately 3.9 million electric and 1.3 million gas customers through the deployment of Silver Spring’s multi-application networking, data, and control platform.

“We are honored to partner with Con Edison and O&R on this groundbreaking project,” said Mike Bell, CEO and President of Silver Spring Networks. “The technology being deployed and their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers through the application of advanced technology builds on their nearly two centuries of innovation and customer service.”

Silver Spring also announced upgrades to its Gen5 critical infrastructure networking platform, including doubling the maximum speed of its Gen5 network to up to 2.4 Mbps, increasing computational performance by 10x, supporting simultaneous mesh communication on both 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies, integrating 4G LTE communications, and delivering simplified modularity for easier device integration. These Gen5 platform enhancements, coupled with Silver Spring’s existing multi-application, range, latency, scale, distributed intelligence, and power optimization capabilities, further enable utilities, cities and other Internet of Things (IOT) device and application providers to deliver multiple applications on a single, unified network without compromising reliability, speed, security, or cost.

Silver Spring said its systems are now supporting nearly 23 million devices.

http://www.silverspringnet.com/blog

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Ericsson Acquires Ambient for Smart Grid Techologies

Ericsson has acquired Ambient Corporation, a provider of smart grid communications technology for utilities. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Ambient smart grid communications platform, which includes hardware and software elements, features an open IP network architecture. The platform supports multiple communications technologies in parallel, including cellular, Wi-Fi, radio frequency (RF) and power line communications (PLC), and also provides serial and Ethernet connections. The platform enables the integration of various smart grid applications, such as smart metering, demand response, distribution automation and monitoring, and direct load control into a common infrastructure.

Ambient will be integrated into Ericsson's Global Services organization, which employs 64,000 services professionals based in 180 countries.

"At Ericsson we are increasingly using our experience in communications and providing managed services for networks that serve more than 1 billion subscribers worldwide to assist partners and customers in the utilities sector. We're helping utilities to adopt new types of applications and enable new business models, and I believe Ambient could make a big contribution to that effort," stated Magnus Mandersson, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Unit Global Services at Ericsson.

http://www.ericsson.com/news/1859937

Ambient was founded in 1996 and is based in Newton, Massachusetts.

In July 2014, Ambient filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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