SmartSynch News
Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) Nears Halfway Point on 10,000-Unit Trial Deployment of SmartSynch I-210+c® Point-to-Point SmartMeter™ Throughout Texas MarketNew residential SmartMeter solution is first to offer full advanced metering functionality, including remote disconnect/reconnect, ZigBee® in-home communications, and multi-utility gas and water reads Jackson, MS — September 17, 2009 SmartSynch, Inc., a Smart Grid infrastructure company utilizing standard IP communications via public wireless networks, announced today that Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) is nearing the halfway point on its trial deployment of 10,000 point-to-point residential SmartMeters throughout the utility’s Texas market. TNMP is deploying SmartSynch’s new I-210+c residential SmartMeter solution, consisting of a SmartSynch communications module integrated into the GE I-210+c electricity meter. The SmartSynch solution is the first to offer all-in-one advanced metering functionality that includes not only time of use, demand and load profile, power quality and low voltage monitoring, but also remote meter programming and meter disconnect/reconnect, a ZigBee component for wireless communications with in-home devices, and a Badger ORION® wireless component for multi-utility gas and water reads. TNMP’s selection of SmartSynch was spurred by the successful performance of five system pilots deployed during the last 14 months in Clifton, Lewisville, Texas City, Dickinson and Brazoria, Texas. The pilots supported the collection of billing reads, real-time event alarm notification and remote service connect/ disconnect capabilities, including the first in-production remote move-in/move-out service requests in the state of Texas. Once completed, this deployment will enable TNMP to monitor and trend customer usage data in 15-minute intervals, expand capabilities to support energy management, and provide a Home Area Network communications gateway enabling Retail Energy Providers to manage demand response and energy efficiency activities, and their end-use customers to monitor and regulate their electricity usage via the internet and in-home devices. The SmartSynch I-210+c SmartMeter technology will also help TNMP provide faster and safer response to customer service requests and power outages, while reducing its meter reading and work order costs. TNMP also will reduce its overall carbon footprint, since fewer truck rolls mean less gasoline purchased and consumed. “We are pleased to be approaching the halfway point of this landmark trial,” said Neal Walker, vice president, Texas Operations for TNMP. “SmartSynch’s I-210+c SmartMeter is a comprehensive solution utilizing AT&T’s robust wireless network, which enables us to strategically and securely deploy the meters more quickly and easily, wherever they can provide the greatest and most immediate benefits.” Earlier this year, SmartSynch and AT&T unveiled a new alternative for electric utility companies looking to provide the benefits of smart grid technology to their residential customers. The two companies are for the first time providing utilities with a cost-effective option for leveraging smart grid technology to enable a point-to-point, IP-based configuration to serve these customers. “A complete overhaul of our nation’s electrical grid is only going to happen if utilities are given the proper tools,” said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch’s chief executive officer. “The I-210+c SmartMeter enables utilities to accomplish multiple tasks with a pure IP solution that can scale to any size. Utilities may also allow the SSI firmware to be remotely upgraded at any time to interface with new technologies as they are introduced into the market. By using public wireless networks in conjunction with industry standards like IP, utilities will minimize risk of being left behind from a technology standpoint.” "Utilities that use publicly available networks now have a viable solution that is secure and reliable, and also provides extensive capabilities to support future smart grid needs," said Steve Richards, GM of Meters for GE Energy, transmission & distribution. "Thanks to the breadth and depth of GE’s Smart Grid solutions set, we were able to offer SmartSynch and TNMP precisely what they needed to deliver on their Smart Grid vision, today and into the future.” About SmartSynch As a smart grid infrastructure company, SmartSynch’s IP-based solutions are capable of delivering grid intelligence to and from any device. Our products and services include SmartMeters™ and SmartBoxes™ 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. About TNMP
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