DUKE ENERGY BPL: Power Lines with Big Brains

Read related BPLTODAY.COM article:
DUKE pushes ahead with new AMBIENT/DS2 G2 200 mbps BPL/PLC gear

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With Powerline Communication technology, power lines move a lot more than electricity.
What would you say if we told you that your power lines talked to each other to find problems, read your meter for you and served up a fat internet signal along with electricity?

Impossible? Not really.

The latest Powerline Communication (PLC) technology is being evaluated by Duke Power, and it opens up the electrical grid to a world of possibilities.

A digital signal travels over your power lines
At the heart of PLC is a digital signal that travels with the electricity on medium and low voltage power lines. Special equipment is added to the power line network to manage the signal to work in multiple ways.



Powerline Communication makes a smarter, safer electrical grid
Blackouts. We all hate them. We’d like to make them a thing of the past. With PLC, we get one step closer. An electrical grid that has been modernized with PLC equipment can “sense” where power outages have occurred and can precisely point crews to trouble spots. That saves us time, and you the headache of having no electricity.



Transformers have eyes and ears
Security of the power grid is a high priority for us. The communication signal on the lines allows us to place cameras and other monitoring equipment on the electrical grid. All the data is piped into a central location, reducing the time and resources needed to monitor the grid. This frees up manpower to do more important things, like making sure your power keeps flowing.



Thieves foiled
Nobody likes an energy thief. He makes electricity cost more for everyone. With PLC on the grid, we can find meters that have been tampered with and shut them down much more easily than ever before.

So what’s in it for me?
Good question. In addition to more reliable electricity, PLC can also deliver high-speed internet access to homes and businesses, put you in charge of when you want to be billed for power, and set the framework for running more efficient homes and businesses.

Let’s talk about the Internet
Always “on” access. Fast downloads. Networked video gaming. Digital telephone. Digital video recording. These are all things we love about our high-speed internet access today. These are also things you can get with a great PLC feature called Broadband Powerline (BPL). Faster upload speeds than current broadband services and the broadband connection is delivered through your existing electrical outlets.



With a BPL modem connected to your computer, your electrical connection is all you’ll need to manage your blog, browse your favorite Web sites and download podcasts.

The future is even more interesting. As BPL matures, you’ll start to see “smart” appliances that use the digital signal to “talk” to each other as well as software that can run your house for you. You can make your house more energy efficient by telling lights, thermostats and appliances to use less power when you’re not home and power back up before you come back.

Pay your electric bill when it works for you
That’s right. You tell the power company when you want to pay your monthly bill. No longer will your billing cycle be dependent on a meter reader driving or walking by on that certain day of the month. You tell us what day works for you, and we can read your meter remotely. Done deal.

Big customers benefit too
If you are an industrial or large commercial consumer of electricity, PLC can benefit you, too. Enhanced safety, security and lighting programs allow you to program when, where, and how you would like to monitor your business.




Power usage monitoring and management of major systems like heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), major appliances and machinery puts the control in your hands to keep costs down and productivity levels up.

So when can I get mine?


Duke Power, Duke Energy’s electric utility in the Carolinas, is currently evaluating PLC technology. Passing our tests for quality control will not be a walk in the park. We want to ensure that what we roll out is of the highest quality and reliability for our customers, and we will take the time to get it right. So stay tuned. There will be more to report in the near future.