SmartSynch intros GridRouter for smart meters and the electric companies that love them
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted December 4th 2009 12:24PM
posted December 4th 2009 12:24PM
The last time we heard from SmartSynch it had inked a deal with AT&T to provide communications between its smart energy products and power companies. Now the company's back with a little something called the GridRouter, an IP-based device based that connects appliances, smart grids, and utilities -- no matter which communication protocol is used. The device is built on an open platform since the current grid is a mish-mash (or a hodge-podge, if you will) of proprietary hardware and software, and includes WiMax and Wi-Fi capabilities. Sounds like it just might be the thing for utilities struggling to catch up to the 21st century smarter energy revolution -- and those of you who are really, really into Google's PowerMeter beta. Want to give it a spin? Hit the source link to get in touch with the company. PR after the break.
SmartSynch Launches GridRouter -- the Industry's First Universal Smart Grid Communications Solution
Next Generation Device Engineered to 'Connect the Silos' That Have Prevented Broad Smart Grid Deployment Across Geographies, Utilities and Vendor Solutions JACKSON, MS--(Marketwire - December 3, 2009) - SmartSynch, Inc., a smart grid infrastructure company, today launched the SmartSynch GridRouter™, the industry's first universal smart grid communications solution. With the GridRouter, utilities can seamlessly and easily communicate with every possible device on the smart grid regardless of make, model or communication protocol.
Designed on the principles of openness and interoperability, the IP-enabled GridRouter is a universal, interchangeable and remotely upgradeable solution engineered to revolutionize the smart grid. Specifically, the GridRouter:
-- Provides a point-to-point smart grid communications platform that can facilitate data transfer to any smart grid device on any network (public or private)
-- Can be managed by standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network IT management tools that most utilities already implement
-- Functions like any other network appliance on an IP network, such as a PC or copy machine
-- Offers a standard, open platform that allows multiple companies to provide value to the customer as part of an 'ecosystem of innovation'
-- Is field upgradeable -- allowing utilities to add multiple communication technologies to their smart grid communications infrastructure based on future needs without having to replace an entire system backbone
Currently, utilities have no choice but to purchase and integrate non-interoperable proprietary technologies from multiple vendors that have purpose-built network communications. The GridRouter bridges the network gap between these types of devices and allows each vendor to participate in an open ecosystem, and helps utilities avoid being locked into one specific technology or device.
"The GridRouter is the 'Rosetta Stone' of the smart grid, allowing multiple digital energy language users to quickly understand each other for the first time," said SmartSynch CEO Stephen Johnston. "With the GridRouter, utilities can embrace the best technologies and future-proof the smart grid simultaneously, which significantly reduces the technology risk factor. Similar to how network routers transformed the Internet from slow, one-dimensional Web sites to a high bandwidth experience with voice and video, the GridRouter opens the door to new applications and networks, utilizes greater bandwidth and increases functionality -- transforming the smart electricity grid as we know it."
"The goal of the stimulus funding was to finance technology that would provide a foundation for years or even decades, but if utilities spend money on proprietary technology, they may have to replace it in a few years," said metering expert Dr. Aaron Snyder of Enernex in a recent issue of Smart Grid Today. "The vision of an interoperable, plug-and-play power grid cannot come to pass if each of the country's 3,000 utilities is in its own incompatible island of non-compliant technology."
Johnston said the smart grid industry should not view the GridRouter as a competitive product, but rather a solution engineered specifically to allow utilities to exercise choice over plug-in devices and grid assets from different vendors into their overall smart grid infrastructure. "It allows reclosers from Sweitzer and Cooper to be part of the same smart grid network along with meters from Echelon and other providers," Johnston said. "The GridRouter actually transforms competition into collaboration and facilitates an ecosystem of innovation in which multiple companies can provide value to utilities."
The GridRouter is available immediately. Visit www.gridrouter.com for more information on the product, including a virtual demonstration.
About SmartSynch
SmartSynch has been the only provider of standard, IP communicating end-to-end smart grid solutions utilizing public wireless networks for the utility industry since 2000. Our clean-tech innovations in the two-way delivery of real-time energy usage data over public wireless networks, in lieu of proprietary networks, have to-date simplified deployments for 100 major North American utilities, while enabling their clean-energy initiatives and delivering greater Returns on Resources.
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.
Next Generation Device Engineered to 'Connect the Silos' That Have Prevented Broad Smart Grid Deployment Across Geographies, Utilities and Vendor Solutions JACKSON, MS--(Marketwire - December 3, 2009) - SmartSynch, Inc., a smart grid infrastructure company, today launched the SmartSynch GridRouter™, the industry's first universal smart grid communications solution. With the GridRouter, utilities can seamlessly and easily communicate with every possible device on the smart grid regardless of make, model or communication protocol.
Designed on the principles of openness and interoperability, the IP-enabled GridRouter is a universal, interchangeable and remotely upgradeable solution engineered to revolutionize the smart grid. Specifically, the GridRouter:
-- Provides a point-to-point smart grid communications platform that can facilitate data transfer to any smart grid device on any network (public or private)
-- Can be managed by standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network IT management tools that most utilities already implement
-- Functions like any other network appliance on an IP network, such as a PC or copy machine
-- Offers a standard, open platform that allows multiple companies to provide value to the customer as part of an 'ecosystem of innovation'
-- Is field upgradeable -- allowing utilities to add multiple communication technologies to their smart grid communications infrastructure based on future needs without having to replace an entire system backbone
Currently, utilities have no choice but to purchase and integrate non-interoperable proprietary technologies from multiple vendors that have purpose-built network communications. The GridRouter bridges the network gap between these types of devices and allows each vendor to participate in an open ecosystem, and helps utilities avoid being locked into one specific technology or device.
"The GridRouter is the 'Rosetta Stone' of the smart grid, allowing multiple digital energy language users to quickly understand each other for the first time," said SmartSynch CEO Stephen Johnston. "With the GridRouter, utilities can embrace the best technologies and future-proof the smart grid simultaneously, which significantly reduces the technology risk factor. Similar to how network routers transformed the Internet from slow, one-dimensional Web sites to a high bandwidth experience with voice and video, the GridRouter opens the door to new applications and networks, utilizes greater bandwidth and increases functionality -- transforming the smart electricity grid as we know it."
"The goal of the stimulus funding was to finance technology that would provide a foundation for years or even decades, but if utilities spend money on proprietary technology, they may have to replace it in a few years," said metering expert Dr. Aaron Snyder of Enernex in a recent issue of Smart Grid Today. "The vision of an interoperable, plug-and-play power grid cannot come to pass if each of the country's 3,000 utilities is in its own incompatible island of non-compliant technology."
Johnston said the smart grid industry should not view the GridRouter as a competitive product, but rather a solution engineered specifically to allow utilities to exercise choice over plug-in devices and grid assets from different vendors into their overall smart grid infrastructure. "It allows reclosers from Sweitzer and Cooper to be part of the same smart grid network along with meters from Echelon and other providers," Johnston said. "The GridRouter actually transforms competition into collaboration and facilitates an ecosystem of innovation in which multiple companies can provide value to utilities."
The GridRouter is available immediately. Visit www.gridrouter.com for more information on the product, including a virtual demonstration.
About SmartSynch
SmartSynch has been the only provider of standard, IP communicating end-to-end smart grid solutions utilizing public wireless networks for the utility industry since 2000. Our clean-tech innovations in the two-way delivery of real-time energy usage data over public wireless networks, in lieu of proprietary networks, have to-date simplified deployments for 100 major North American utilities, while enabling their clean-energy initiatives and delivering greater Returns on Resources.
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.
Awesome and to make it even better, it's a totally open platform.
I actually work very closely with SmartSynch here in Canada with their TMS solution. Works extremely well. TMS uses the GPRS method for receiving load profiles from meters in the field. Quite fast, very well done. Glad to see things are still moving forward! Good job guys!
That looks like quite a bit of hardware in the smart router box. I wonder how much this new smart technology is actually going to cost consumers in the development of smart devices, routers, management overhead, etc. As with everything, anything that has the chance to eventually save money will have the R & D costs pushed down to the consumer on the front side. Sure it has the prospects of saving money and energy production by making a smart power grid, but the dollars to grease the wheels of change in the near future is what makes me wonder.
Actually it does support ZigBee. If you configure one ( http://www.gridrouter.com/build-your-own-router.html ), you can choose IEEE 802.15.4 for connectivity, and select ZigBee as the provider.
lemme know when i can hack my electric bill, then i'll be interested
It does support ZigBee and 6LoWPAN (802.15.4), actually on that picture the Mini PCIe card you see on the top right is a 802.15.4 Field replaceable Unit running ZigBee stack. (I know because I designed part of it) =)
I think we might have just gotten one of these at our house... I don't trust it. The analog meter was much better - with this one they can manipulate how much 'electricity' you're using and there isn't anything you can do about it.
@tastypotato that is not really the case, the billing charges are done at the Utility not at the meter, they cannot change your usage, same as analog this device read the current usage and subtract that from your previous reading and get what was your usage for that period of time and send it to the utility. Once it is there the utility billing software will multiply that for your Watt/rate and that is your bill. They can manipulate your rate yes, but that is the case with any meter, Analog, digital, paper, or smoke signals since all that is done at the Utility.
This device just automate the process so you can get a reading every minute if you want instead of once a month and once this data is available you can use software to display it in a computer or a in home display and make inform decisions about when and for long use your power.
@maturola
I'm not listening to you!
*dons tinfoil hat* :P