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Automation Insight
January 2008
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Silver Spring V.P. Shares Thoughts on Standards, IP-Based Meters, and Obsolescence Concerns
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Eric Dresselhuys at Silver Spring Networks about current market dynamics and the ongoing challenges toward achieving technology standards and protocols. Silver Spring Networks At Silver Spring Networks develops, IP-based networking products (software solutions, intelligent endpoints, and network infrastructure) for utilities. Silver Spring Networks' solution is an IP-based network built on open standards.
Read more.
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New Developments in Prepay Services
Frequently, electric utilities in the United States have expressed an interest in prepaid metering programs. Generally, utilities view a prepay program as an opportunity to provide a new customer billing option that can: increase revenue, increase cash flow, reduce delinquent payments, and reduce the number of customer disconnects/reconnects. However, despite this interest, there is not a widespread deployment of prepay programs within U.S. utilities.
Read more.
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Building Models for the “Smart Grid” Business Case
The Federal Energy Policy Act 2005, Section 1252 (EPAct) states that energy policy supports all utilities to “provide customers with time-based rates and the ability to receive and respond to electricity price signals.” The EPAct, however, does not specifically mention or require that utilities do anything directly, but instead it requires the regulators and the Boards of Directors of unregulated utilities to “consider and determine” what these utilities must do to comply with the objectives of the EPAct. This regulatory driver, in tandem with recent developments in communication and Information Technology (IT) and increased cost of “clean” conventional energy sources, have created an opportune environment to seriously consider technologies such as smart meters, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and “smart grid” as practical solutions to address power delivery needs of the future.
Read more.
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ZigBee Alliance V.P. Shares Thoughts on Interoperability, Competitors
I recently spoke with Brent Hodges, Vice President Marketing and Business Development of the ZigBee Alliance, as he made preparations to attend the DistribuTECH conference in Tampa. This was a good opportunity for Hodges to share new developments happening at the Alliance, and also to clarify what may be some misinformation that is circulating in the industry regarding the ZigBee technology.
Read more.
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Download the January 2008 Issue
Use the link below to download the PDF of the full issue of the January 2008 Automation Insight to view the complete print versions of the articles.
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[download] Automation Insight Jan 2008 (.pdf 334 kb)
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About Automation Insight
Automation Insight is a complimentary monthly publication designed specifically for the utility industry and those serving the utility industry. For comments or suggestions on future article topics, please contact Will McNamara, Managing Editor, will.mcnamara@us.kema.com, tel. 781.534.8621.
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