IBERDROLA in US trials of novel concept for Hybrid RF/PRIME Smart Grid system
Barcelona, November 17th, 2016.
The PRIME Alliance is very proud to announce that AVANGRID Networks, a subsidiary of IBERDROLA, is starting the deployment of an innovative PRIME Smart Grid Pilot in its service area in the United States.
The Smart Grid Pilot will deploy and test innovative Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) applications using PRIME v1.4 Power Line Communications (PLC) and Radio Frequency (RF) for the IPv6-compliant Field Area Network (FAN). The Pilot will implement strong cybersecurity features as required by the US market and is going far beyond concept proofing, by testing interoperability of PRIME ANSI Smart Meters, sourced by several suppliers based upon Open and Royalty-Free Standards.
For the AMI services, DLMS/COSEM will be transported over IPv6 for the PLC and RF segments of the networks, which are based on PRIME v1.4 according to the PRIME4EVOLUTION vision. The Digital Grid thus becomes a reality, unleashing a totally new bouquet of Smart Metering and Smart Grid Services.
In order to define a clear measurement of the level of success, KPI metrics have been defined and will be checked through different phases of the project. Measurements will occur from initial laboratory tests to subsequent field deployment of the Pilot.
With this Smart Grid Pilot, the involved parties are clearly signalling their strong commitment to PRIME as an Open and Royalty-Free Standard for Smart Grid Telecommunications in all markets in which they have presence.
About PRIME Alliance
PRIME (PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution) Alliance AISBL was created in 2009 to define an open and future-proofed communications PLC-based infrastructure to support large scale smart metering and other smart grid deployments. The PRIME Alliance has attracted key industry players, including Sponsoring Members ZIV Distribution Automation Systems, Ormazabal and Sagemcom. The goal of the Alliance is to provide a framework in which the smart metering and smart grid industry have access to open detailed technical specifications in order to develop fully interoperable solutions, allowing multiple vendors to be operational within the same distribution network in one common system architecture. Detailed technical specs include Physical PHY layer and Medium Access Control MAC layer specifications.
The PRIME Alliance provides a forum for the definition, maintenance and support of an open and comprehensive standard for narrowband power line for Smart Grid products and services. The mission of the Alliance is to accelerate the demand for products and services based on this worldwide standard and promote the broad adoption and use of the specification while certifying multi-vendor interoperability and compatibility with the global standard. The Alliance is open to all potential partners who agree to actively support and promote an open and public specification for the benefit of the end-user and all industry stakeholders. Visit www.prime-alliance.org for more information or to join the Alliance.
About IBERDROLA
IBERDROLA, a multinational leader in the energy sector serving people and society. With over 170 years of experience, IBERDROLA is today one of the largest electric utilities in the world and a benchmark for renewable energies. The company produces and supplies electricity to around 100 million people in the countries in which it operates. After the radical transformation carried out in the last 15 years, IBERDROLA is today the number one European electricity company, and one of the largest in the world by market capitalisation. This is the result of the combination of its corporate vision -which in 2001 led the company to look ahead to future trends in the sector-, the strategy followed to make this vision a reality, its successful implementation, and the ethical values that have always guided all the Group’s actions.
About AVANGRID
AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. AVANGRID Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. AVANGRID Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed by a merger between IBERDROLA USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID.
Media Contact
Alexandre Egger
PRIME Alliance AISBL
alexandre.egger@prime-alliance.org
M: +32 483 419282