Energy - Communications Systems Page.
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Information and resources related to communications networks associated with energy applications.
Utilities are faced with a growing and maturing mix of communications options. These include: radio frequency (RF), Power Line Communications (PLC) (Wikipedia), Broadband over Powerlines (BPL), and WiFi (Wikipedia). Presently, RF is used more often than not - and sometimes in combination with PLC or BPL. Wireless mesh technology (Wikipedia) is also gaining acceptance.
Additional Resources
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Companies
Aclara - Energy - Metering Page. Locations: Hazelwood, Missouri; Beachwood, Ohio; Wellesley, Massachusetts. Also, provides the communication system to support meter installations.
Aeris Communications - supports the Utility sector with enhanced wireless data applications such as automated meter reading/infrastructure (AMR/AMI) and demand response. Aeris provides value to Utilities by giving them lower total cost of ownership, higher quality of service, and shorter implementation times, thus generating higher return on investment. *
Website: http://www.aeris.net
Locations: San Jose, California.
Alcatel-Lucent - Energy - Industry - Suppliers. Communications supplier.
Arcadian Networks - their core solution provides an integrated wireless broadband network with equipment and licensed spectrum for operational as well as mission-critical applications such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), security monitoring and surveillance, voice over Internet Protocol (IP), transmission operations, automatic meter reading (AMR) and workforce management. The service allows companies to maintain their existing communication infrastructure while upgrading to an IP-based communications network that supports their legacy equipment. Within the Utility market it provides a secure, two-way broadband connection to substations, feeders and meter sites, giving customers the ability to monitor real-time mission-critical assets, early fault detection and providing maximum continuity of service. The system also enables businesses to detect problems proactively, identify exceptions and respond to the growing security requirements of their facilities and assets. Valhalla, New York.
Locations: Valhalla, New York.
People: http://www.arcadiannetworks.com/management.aspx?MID=1000&CID=5002
Website: http://www.arcadiannetworks.com
Arch Rock - Energy - Building Automation Page. Locations: San Francisco, California.
BMG Seltec - provides operations support software, Global Positioning System vehicle tracking, plant control systems, and point-of-sale solutions, initially to producers of bulk constructions materials (asphalt, aggregates and ready mixed concrete). The company’s products can also address the needs of the broader bulk materials markets including grain, coal, minerals, and liquids such as petroleum or chemicals. The technology allows customers to increase efficiency and profitability, and can lower fuel consumption and reduce vehicle emissions through improved fleet management. Website. People: No. Board Of Directors: No. Advisory Board: No. Investors: DFJ Element.
Calix - The Largest Telecommunications Equipment Supplier Focused Solely on Access. Several hundred service providers operating tens of millions of access lines depend on Calix to power their access networks. Industry-leading solutions deployable throughout the access network enable a rich set of information, communication, and entertainment services over any combination of fiber and copper, thus helping Calix customers gain a competitive edge. And an extremely high degree of integration and robust service management allow Calix customers to operate their access networks at the lowest possible cost. Massive service capacity over extreme operational efficiency—these are what make Calix an ideal access partner.
Board Of Directors: http://www.calix.com/about/directors/
Locations: Petaluma, California; Acton, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota.
People: http://www.calix.com/about/leadership/
Website: http://www.calix.com
Cellnet - Cellnet offers a wireless fixed data communication network for automated solutions such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Automated Meter Reading (AMR), Distribution Automation (DA), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). As the industry progresses and technology advances, Cellnet leverages its experience, knowledge, and creativity to offer the highest quality products and market leading services and solutions. Locations: Atlanta. Utilinet is their brandname.
Website: http://www.cellnet.com
COMTek - offers a complete set of Telecommunications Services – including Wireless, Broadband over Powerline (BPL), Broadband Data Services, VSAT Systems, and Voice over IP (VoIP) – enabling businesses to reach remote areas around the world. Website. *
Connected Energy - has been pioneering real-time Internet-based remote control for over 10 years. Our mission is to fundamentally change the way enterprises manage their distributed operations by providing powerful tools to manage mission critical resources, such as energy, facility systems and processes, in real-time wherever they are located. Connected Energy offers a fully managed and pre-engineered solution that brings remote devices and control systems online to create a virtual control center - without enterprise software, systems or device level integration. Simple, powerful, out-of-the-box compatibility and connectivity to maximize performance, productivity and profitability. Website. Management. Advisory Board: No. Locations: Rochester, New York. Investors: Blue Hill Partners, ... Company was acquired by BPL Global in January 2008. *
Duquesne Broadband - a joint venture between DQE Communications and BPL Global, offers high-speed wireless Internet access to residential and small commercial customers through the use of existing power lines, coupled with BPL technology. Initial service offerings will target select areas of Monroeville, with the intent to expand the service, based on customer demand, to cover Allegheny and Beaver counties.
Locations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Website: http://www.duquesnebroadband.com/AboutUs.cfm
Echelon - Energy - Site Automation Page. (Has a wireless communication network solution for connecting site devices to the network).
Eka Systems - Eka Systems is a global manufacturer and supplier of wireless, self-managing, self-healing Smart Network and Smart Grid networking solutions that provide unrestricted monitoring and control of customer water, electric and gas data; enabling utility companies to create efficient, flexible and highly scalable AMI, AMR, and Distribution Automation solutions while simultaneously enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Eka’s portfolio features EkaNet Smart Network which provides comprehensive security for a utility’s entire network and its data. EkaNet Solutions scale easily, self-configure, and self-heal without burdensome installation and cost issues while managing themselves, thereby eliminating traditional IT management costs associated with smart metering.
Advisory Board: Yes, but not listed on site.
Investor: Angeleno Group - Energy - Capital - Venture Capitalists Page. Locations: Los Angeles, California.
Investor: Flybridge Capital Partners - Energy - Capital - Venture Capitalists Page. Locations: Boston, Massachusetts.
Investor: Rockport Venture Capital - Energy - Capital - Venture Capitalists Page. Locations: Menlo Park, California; Boston, Massachusetts.
Investor: (The) Westley Group - Energy - Capital - Venture Capitalists Page. Locations: Menlo Park, California.
Locations: Germantown, Maryland.
People: http://www.ekasystems.com/management.htm
Website: http://www.ekasystems.com
Fluidmesh Networks - is the worldwide leader in wireless systems for security and mission-critical applications based on mesh networking technology. The company is focused on the development of top-quality wireless products for security, video-surveillance, condition monitoring and data communication in large areas at risk. Fluidmesh Networks’ target markets are municipalities, industrial plants, seaports and marinas, archaeological sites, resorts, theme parks and racing tracks. Founded by a team of researchers and engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA and the Politecnico of Milan in Italy, Fluidmesh Networks serves its customers worldwide from its headquarters in Boston, and from its European office based in Italy.
Locations: Boston, Massachusetts.
Website: http://www.fluidmesh.com
Freewave - Energy - Substation Automation Page. Locations: Boulder, Colorado.
IDACOMM - is a fiber facilities-based competitive metro network provider, with operations focused in Nevada and Idaho, specializing in fiber-based transport services to both carrier and enterprise customers. IDACOMM’s fiber rich network includes over 45,000 local and long haul fiber strand miles with approximately 150 buildings on net. Adding these rapid-paced development cities of Las Vegas, NV, Reno, NV, Carson City, NV and Boise, ID opens new regional transport business to AFS. Company purchased by American Fiber Systems (See above).
Iberdrola Renewables - Energy - Wind Page. Locations: Portland (HQ), Oregon; Radnor, Pennsylvania. They are also working on a PLC standard communications specification with a set of partners.
Jasper Wireless - is the world's first and only global M2M Mobile Operator. The company was created to offer simple, efficient and cost-effective communications solutions for the rapidly-growing machine-to-machine device market. The company has uniquely converged wireless technologies with Internet applications to design a solution unlike any other on the market in meeting the needs of global M2M application providers.
Locations: Sunnyvale, California.
Website: http://www.jasperwireless.com
KORE Telematics - KORE Telematics is the largest independent provider of Business Class all digital wireless services for the M2M (machine-to-machine), telematics and telemetry markets. With operations in Canada and the USA, KORE provides service to more than 450 applications providers powering diverse applications, including vehicle location to utility metering, payment processing, landfill monitoring, asset management, offender tracking and more. As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, KORE owns direct connect agreements with the leading network providers including ATT, Verizon, Rogers Wireless and others. Direct connect means just that; no roaming, no coverage holes and immediate fault and diagnostic management. KORE provides flexible usage-based call rating, management and billing services and value added wireless services for a complete end-to-end customer solution and operates its own facilities-based Network Operations Centers. Offices are located in Herndon, VA and Toronto, ON, with Network and Operations Centers in Winnipeg, MB and Atlanta, GA.
Locations: Reston, Virginia.
Website: http://www.koretelematics.com
Lantronix - (Nasdaq: LTRX) is a provider of hardware and software solutions ranging from systems that allow users to remotely manage network infrastructure equipment to technologies that network-enable devices and appliances.
Locations: Irvine, California.
Website: http://www.lantronix.com
Metrum Technologies - founded in 2002, is a leading provider of integrated wireless M2M solutions for a wide variety of remote connectivity, data acquisition and endpoint automation applications including: Utility AMR/AMI, Distribution Automation, Equipment Monitoring and Control, Public Safety, Military, and Custom Wireless Solutions. The patented OV2000 product line is available as an integrated endpoint communication module or as an external OEM platform and features protocol agnostic, transparent, IP communications over the CDMA/1XRTT and GSM/GPRS public high speed data networks supported by the major wireless carriers. True-pass-though functionality and compatibility with “best-in-class” platforms produce highly flexible, dependable wireless solution for almost any remote data, monitoring, or control application.
Locations: Waco, Texas.
Website: http://www.metrum.us
Motorola Tetra - offers a wide selection of communication networks to meet your communication needs from the simple single site system that can cover a small geographic area to the largest network that address the needs of nationwide organizations. Website.
New Paradigm Resources Group (NPRG) - Energy - Consultants Page. Locations: Chicago, Illinois. (Communications Consulting).
Numerex - offers the broadest choice of secure M2M network services and solutions. Numerex is the only North American M2M company that carries ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification - ISO’s highest information security benchmark that ensures the highest levels of data confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Numerex offers a depth of expertise and excellence that leading companies choose to power their M2M solutions.
Locations: Atlanta, Georgia.
Stock: NASDAQ: NMRX
Website: http://www.numerex.com
Open Systems International (OSI) - is a supplier of open automation solutions for real-time management and optimization of complex production, transport, and delivery networks for utilities in the electric, oil and gas, transport, and water industries. Website.
Silver Spring Networks - products and advanced networking technologies make it cost-effective to operate an IP-based utility network that extends to the edge of the service territory. Leveraging proven, advanced networking technologies, Silver Spring Networks’ products are designed to meet the strict reliability, scaling and security requirements of the utility industry at a cost that delivers demonstrable value. The experience of other industries — including cable, telecom and IT — proves that leveraging open standards lowers cost, accelerates product innovation and grows market opportunities.
Board Of Directors: http://www.silverspringnetworks.com/about_us/board_of_directors.html
Locations: Redwood City, California.
People: http://www.silverspringnetworks.com/about_us/management_team.html
Website: http://www.silverspringnetworks.com/
Systems Integration Specialists Company (SISCO) - is a privately held company founded in 1983 that is dedicated to applying standards to address real-world problems in the electric utility, manufacturing, and automation industries. SISCO offers real-time communications and application integration products and services that are used world-wide in many industries by leading OEMs, system integrators, and end users.
Locations: Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Website: http://www.sisconet.com/home.htm
Telemetric - is the leader in wireless communication and information solutions for the utility industry. Our award winning solutions help customers make the most of their electric distribution assets - enhancing system reliability and reducing costs. By delivering secure, reliable communications over the existing cellular infrastructure, we offer cost-effective solutions with a clear return on investment. Our suite of communications hardware, network services, and PowerVista software allow us to deliver end-to-end communication solutions tailored to the customer's needs.
Locations: Boise, Idaho.
Website: http://www.telemetric.net/
Tridium - a global software and technology company, is the inventor of the Niagara Framework®, a universal software platform that helps manufacturers develop Internet-enabled equipment systems and device-to-enterprise applications. Niagara resolves the challenges associated with open systems, integration and interoperability by integrating diverse systems and devices - regardless of manufacturer, or communication protocol - into a unified platform that can be easily managed and controlled in real-time over the Internet. Website. Acquired by Honeywell. Competitors: Johnson Controls, GridLogix, and Richards-Zeta.
TWACS - See Aclara - Energy - Metering Page. See TWACS on the same page.
Wellspring - Zigbee Networks. Website. Customers: USCL (for Southern California Edison Application).
Technologies
Circuit Switched Data - 9.6- 14.4 Kbps
GPRS - 20-40 Kbps.
GSM - 75-135 Kbps.
HART Communication - is a bi-directional industrial field communication protocol used to communicate between intelligent field instruments and host systems. HART is the global standard for smart process instrumentation and the majority of smart field devices installed in plants worldwide are HART-enabled. The global installed base of HART-enabled devices is the largest of all communication protocols at more than 20 million. HART technology is easy to use and very reliable.
Website: http://www.hartcomm2.org
Mobile-Fi - low-cost, always-on, and truly mobile broadband wireless networks, nicknamed as Mobile-Fi. Wikipedia.
Power Line Carrier - less than 100 bps.
Wi-Fi/Ethernet - 11 Mbps
WiMax - up to 75 Mbps.
ZigBee Alliance - See Home Automation Page.
Additional Resources
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Paul J. Feldman