Industry Needs

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

The cost of implementing smart grids will decline because standard-based communications will replace some of the proprietary standards found in early smart meter deployments. - Greentech Media

INTEROPERABILITY

To harness the true potential of a smart grid, interoperability is key. With an open standard that supports a common language, it’s possible to gather critical information at every step of the energy delivery process. This information can be used to a number of advantages for utilities, consumers and even the world at large.

SCALABILITY

With the wide range of utilities in play, an open-standards-based network must be able to serve both the large and small – and everything in-between. Whether a utility is serving 90,000 or 10,000,000 customers, the solution must resolve business challenges. Plus, as utilities incorporate smart technology, they must be able to do so in incremental steps, without a fear of stranding assets along the way.

SECURITY

Security is a clear concern when implementing an open-standards-based network solution. Consumer privacy and data integrity are critical. Both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards must be met at all times as data is passed throughout the utility network.

COST REDUCTION

When implementing a new solution, costs are understandably a primary concern. Migration and maintenance spending must stay reasonable to achieve an ROI that makes moving to the smart grid a smart business decision. With a true open-standards approach, utilities can choose from a variety of best-in-breed vendors to select the products that are right for them, at a price that’s right—without worrying about how to integrate it into the network.