Monday July 28, 8:30 am ET
Telkonet's Series 5 Powerline Communications (PLC) technology approved for critical substation monitoring applications
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO - News), the leading provider of innovative, centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, announces that its revolutionary PLC solutions have been approved after laboratory and field testing by BPL Global’s Serveron® subsidiary, a leading provider of smart grid solutions including online monitoring technology and services for electric utility assets. The Telkonet Series 5™ and the Telkonet iWire System™ use existing electrical low voltage power lines to provide high-speed communications, creating a highly secure and fast-deployment substation network. Telkonet's network enables the constant monitoring of power transformers, linking Serveron's remote monitoring Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) system to the control house, and transmitting vital data about the presence of dissolved gases in the power transformer insulating oil that indicate impending problems.
The two companies have been working closely, proving Telkonet's PLC solutions in the field with a large utility in the Southwest. Recently, Serveron has conducted extensive laboratory tests on the next generation Telkonet Series 5 platform launched earlier this year, designed specifically for demanding industrial applications, such as substations and power plants. Telkonet Series 5 has now received full approval for use with Serveron on-line transformer monitors in substation monitoring applications. As a result of these joint initiatives, Serveron has now customized its TM family of transformer monitor systems to incorporate the Telkonet iBridge™ prior to shipping, making it even simpler for the entire solution to be installed in a matter of hours by Serveron's technicians.
With transformers costing anywhere between $1 million and $10 million, keeping them in good health is clearly a critical issue. DGA is an essential means of preventing power transformer failures, providing utilities with a near real-time view of a transformer's state of health by analyzing the gases that are dissolved in its insulating oil. Secure and reliable substation communication is therefore an essential complement to Serveron's remote monitoring solutions, as Steve Jennings, Chief Marketing Officer of BPL Global, explains. "We are confident that Telkonet represents an ideal partner for our Serveron monitors, enabling us to offer a cost-effective alternative to wireless and cell-based options, or even a temporary solution while fiber is being installed. Above all, we have been extremely impressed at the resilience of Telkonet's technology, making it an ideal platform for the harsh and demanding substation environment."
Telkonet Series 5 PLC system delivers enhanced security, speed and Quality of Service (QoS), with capacity for high performance, critical applications, and provides a cost-effective method of rapidly adding communications to existing devices and applications. Telkonet Series 5 can provide support for both DC and AC applications, as well as the capability of withstanding extreme temperature ranges in tough industrial environments. With hardware-based 128-bit AES encryption, it also provides substantially improved security features, meeting stringent industry requirements as a highly secure remote management solution. Telkonet Series 5 also incorporates additional optional physical access ports, including both RS232 and RS485, enabling a wide range of different devices to be networked, such as non Ethernet-enabled monitoring and metering devices used in electric utility substations. It can also handle up to 8 different communication priority levels, across high-speed data, Voice over IP (VoIP), and surveillance, with rate-limited bandwidth management per application.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
IBM to prime pump for smart-grid start-ups
IBM to prime pump for smart-grid start-ups
Posted by Martin LaMonica
July 11, 2008 9:17 AM PDT
IBM has broad green-tech intentions, branching from energy-efficient data centers to cutting-edge solar cell technology. Next up is a concerted smart-grid effort.
The computing giant is preparing a technical "framework" to accelerate new technology integration into the creaky electricity distribution grid, said Drew Clark, director of strategy for IBM's Venture Capital Group, which is charged with aligning start-ups with IBM and its customers.
The idea is to create a common set of communication protocols and data formats that utilities and smart-grid start-ups can adhere to.
With these technical blueprints, based on standards like TCP/IP, new technologies can be plugged into the grid on a large scale, Clark said. What's happening now is a patchwork of smart-grid trials using differing products, an approach that prevents fast technology change.
"The biggest challenge of all this is scale," Clark said. "If we can find breakthrough technology that enables us to bridge the gap between start-up technologies and utility scale on an industrialized basis where we can rapidly move technologies into place, then that's the killer application."
Although people associate smart grids with digital utility meters, the term covers a range of technologies to make the electricity distribution network more flexible and reliable.
CNET News intern Holly Jackson and Martin LaMonica discuss progress on smart grid technology at the end of the daily podcast on Friday.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
For consumers, it can mean having an in-home display or Web site that provides real-time information on energy usage. With the right equipment, they can participate in utilities' energy-efficiency programs and shave about 10 percent off utility bills, according to results of the GridWise smart grid trail last year.
A household could, for example, agree to have the air conditioner thermostat raised a few degrees by the utility when the grid is under heavy strain, such as a hot summer day. To do that, homes need devices that communicate information back to the utility, either using broadband over powerlines or wireless networks.
The benefit of a more intelligent infrastructure is that load can be curtailed as needed and problems spotted more quickly. By flattening out spikes in demand, utilities may not need to build new power plants, which are expensive and opposed in some places for environmental and health reasons.
There are several smart-grid pilot programs going on around the U.S. Most recently, Duke Energy in May launched a five-year initiative to upgrade nearly all of its 800,000 customers with digital meters capable of communicating back to the utility.
There are also many smart-grid companies, taking on various aspects of the problem, from the devices, networking, or software utilities need.
Not so fast
But for all the activity, there are serious challenges standing in the way of broader adoption, not the least of which is money.
Utilities tend to be conservative when it comes to technology investment and regulations don't always foster large investments in energy efficiency, say experts. IT-related investments can take a back seat to things like upgrading decades-old transmissions lines.
The technology for digital electric meters and networking, meanwhile, is relatively untested.
"It's probably similar to the challenges in terms of sending information reliably and securely on the Internet but in this case there are some twists," Clark said. "You have power lines, big ugly transformers in the way, and analog devices--systems that were never set up for this."
IBM is developing a software framework for writing applications that takes advantage of the two-way communication of smart-grid technologies.
It will seek to define what sort of information needs to be communicated between utilities and consumers as well as protocols. Clark said that IBM, which is already involved in a number of smart-grid trials, intends to further detail the initiative later this year.
With a more predictable technical infrastructure, start-up companies could have utilities test and adopt their product more quickly. And it would create a platform for a broader range of applications to be developed.
For example, a person who charges an electric car away from home may want to charge a credit card or home electricity bill. Right now, building that application would require a lot of costly custom technical integration.
Trouble for start-ups?
Although regulators and utilities have been saying for years that the electricity grid needs upgrading, there are more questions than answers on how it will eventually take shape, said Jeff Osborne, an energy analyst at Thomas Weisel, who spoke on a panel at the CTSI Clean Tech conference in Boston last month.
From a business perspective, it's not clear where there is money to be made, although in the short term software-related businesses, like demand response, look promising, he said.
"Selling to utilities is extremely hard," Osborne said. "People are looking more for a software play than a commoditized hardware play."
Louis Szablya, executive vice president of smart grid company GridPoint, said that there are difficult questions over how the smart grid gets paid for. But he thinks that consumers are pushing for better services.
"Society is beginning to demand clean and efficient power. The smart grid enables that," he said.
IBM's Clark said that the technology problems are overshadowed by business and regulatory issues.
As a result, some smart-grid start-ups will struggle, since their venture capital backers can't expect them to spend 20 years having their technology tested and adopted by utilities.
"It's a difficult problem facing all start-ups. It's not just that utilities are not traditionally IT investors. It's that, from their point of view, they need to be sold on a business model--and it needs to work for the start-ups, too," he said.
Posted by Martin LaMonica
July 11, 2008 9:17 AM PDT
IBM has broad green-tech intentions, branching from energy-efficient data centers to cutting-edge solar cell technology. Next up is a concerted smart-grid effort.
The computing giant is preparing a technical "framework" to accelerate new technology integration into the creaky electricity distribution grid, said Drew Clark, director of strategy for IBM's Venture Capital Group, which is charged with aligning start-ups with IBM and its customers.
The idea is to create a common set of communication protocols and data formats that utilities and smart-grid start-ups can adhere to.
With these technical blueprints, based on standards like TCP/IP, new technologies can be plugged into the grid on a large scale, Clark said. What's happening now is a patchwork of smart-grid trials using differing products, an approach that prevents fast technology change.
"The biggest challenge of all this is scale," Clark said. "If we can find breakthrough technology that enables us to bridge the gap between start-up technologies and utility scale on an industrialized basis where we can rapidly move technologies into place, then that's the killer application."
Although people associate smart grids with digital utility meters, the term covers a range of technologies to make the electricity distribution network more flexible and reliable.
CNET News intern Holly Jackson and Martin LaMonica discuss progress on smart grid technology at the end of the daily podcast on Friday.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
For consumers, it can mean having an in-home display or Web site that provides real-time information on energy usage. With the right equipment, they can participate in utilities' energy-efficiency programs and shave about 10 percent off utility bills, according to results of the GridWise smart grid trail last year.
A household could, for example, agree to have the air conditioner thermostat raised a few degrees by the utility when the grid is under heavy strain, such as a hot summer day. To do that, homes need devices that communicate information back to the utility, either using broadband over powerlines or wireless networks.
The benefit of a more intelligent infrastructure is that load can be curtailed as needed and problems spotted more quickly. By flattening out spikes in demand, utilities may not need to build new power plants, which are expensive and opposed in some places for environmental and health reasons.
There are several smart-grid pilot programs going on around the U.S. Most recently, Duke Energy in May launched a five-year initiative to upgrade nearly all of its 800,000 customers with digital meters capable of communicating back to the utility.
There are also many smart-grid companies, taking on various aspects of the problem, from the devices, networking, or software utilities need.
Not so fast
But for all the activity, there are serious challenges standing in the way of broader adoption, not the least of which is money.
Utilities tend to be conservative when it comes to technology investment and regulations don't always foster large investments in energy efficiency, say experts. IT-related investments can take a back seat to things like upgrading decades-old transmissions lines.
The technology for digital electric meters and networking, meanwhile, is relatively untested.
"It's probably similar to the challenges in terms of sending information reliably and securely on the Internet but in this case there are some twists," Clark said. "You have power lines, big ugly transformers in the way, and analog devices--systems that were never set up for this."
IBM is developing a software framework for writing applications that takes advantage of the two-way communication of smart-grid technologies.
It will seek to define what sort of information needs to be communicated between utilities and consumers as well as protocols. Clark said that IBM, which is already involved in a number of smart-grid trials, intends to further detail the initiative later this year.
With a more predictable technical infrastructure, start-up companies could have utilities test and adopt their product more quickly. And it would create a platform for a broader range of applications to be developed.
For example, a person who charges an electric car away from home may want to charge a credit card or home electricity bill. Right now, building that application would require a lot of costly custom technical integration.
Trouble for start-ups?
Although regulators and utilities have been saying for years that the electricity grid needs upgrading, there are more questions than answers on how it will eventually take shape, said Jeff Osborne, an energy analyst at Thomas Weisel, who spoke on a panel at the CTSI Clean Tech conference in Boston last month.
From a business perspective, it's not clear where there is money to be made, although in the short term software-related businesses, like demand response, look promising, he said.
"Selling to utilities is extremely hard," Osborne said. "People are looking more for a software play than a commoditized hardware play."
Louis Szablya, executive vice president of smart grid company GridPoint, said that there are difficult questions over how the smart grid gets paid for. But he thinks that consumers are pushing for better services.
"Society is beginning to demand clean and efficient power. The smart grid enables that," he said.
IBM's Clark said that the technology problems are overshadowed by business and regulatory issues.
As a result, some smart-grid start-ups will struggle, since their venture capital backers can't expect them to spend 20 years having their technology tested and adopted by utilities.
"It's a difficult problem facing all start-ups. It's not just that utilities are not traditionally IT investors. It's that, from their point of view, they need to be sold on a business model--and it needs to work for the start-ups, too," he said.
Duke Energy, GM team up on electric cars
They're working on a revamped power system to handle recharging vehicles.
By Christopher D. Kirkpatrick
ckirkpatrick@charlotteobserver.com
Staff Photographer
Duke Energy has retrofitted several Toyota Prius hybrids so the batteries can be recharged in home outlets.
Duke Energy Corp. and the nation's largest car company are teaming up to smooth the way for a future of electric vehicles.
That future requires a revamped power system that can integrate a new breed of cars drawing massive amounts of electricity from the grid.
General Motors Corp. said the partnership, which also includes the Electric Vehicle Research Institute and other large utilities such as Southern California Edison, will deal with myriad complicated issues from tax incentives to where and when the cars can be recharged.
GM is working to bring the Chevrolet Volt rechargeable car to showrooms in late 2010. It's being designed to run on an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. When fully charged, the car will be able to travel 40 miles on battery power. For longer trips, a small internal combustion engine will recharge the batteries to keep the Volt moving.
“This vehicle is real. It's coming into production,” said Britta Gross, a GM engineer. “We know that when the vehicle is in the showroom and ready for sale, it's got to work seamlessly with the infrastructure.”
Duke has been working on a new “smart grid” in Charlotte for several years with future widespread production of electric cars in mind.
The Charlotte-based utility has been installing two-way data communication devices on its power lines and new smart meters on selected Charlotte homes to research how it could work. It has retrofitted several Toyota Prius hybrids so the batteries can be recharged in home outlets.
The grid would allow two-way data communication with the new electric cars when they are plugged in. The system could signal when cheap power is available for the six- to eight-hour recharge time or draw unused juice from the car's battery to help meet high power demand on the grid – if the car's owner is out of town, for example.
“The electric vehicle is the consummate smart grid application,” said Mike Rowand, Duke's director of advanced customer technologies.
An electric car revolution would mean increased sales for power companies, he said. But the goal is for the cars to mostly recharge at night when demand is generally low, meaning higher profits with lower stress on the system.
The Volt likely will need about eight kilowatt-hours of energy to recharge, Gross said. The average Carolinas rate is about 7 cents per kilowatt hour, so it would cost the consumer less than 60 cents to drive the 40 miles.
GM and the utilities announced the partnership Tuesday at a conference on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in San Jose, Calif.
The speed of the recharging, the voltage, the amperage and other issues all have to be worked out, Gross said. The consortium also will address issues such as how apartment dwellers can charge their cars and where vehicles will be charged at work and on trips – and who pays for the electricity, Gross said. “We want this to sell in just huge volumes,” he said, “so we want to get it right.”
A team of GM engineers and designers is working on the Volt, hoping to be the leader in plug-in electric vehicles. Other automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., are working on similar projects.
GM already is showing Volt prototypes to focus groups and testing a new generation of batteries. The car will be priced anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 – more expensive than most conventional cars.
The group, Gross said, likely will seek government tax incentives for buyers because of the benefits the cars might bring to society, such as lowered greenhouse gas emissions and reduced dependence on foreign oil.
The Associated Press contributed
By Christopher D. Kirkpatrick
ckirkpatrick@charlotteobserver.com
Staff Photographer
Duke Energy has retrofitted several Toyota Prius hybrids so the batteries can be recharged in home outlets.
Duke Energy Corp. and the nation's largest car company are teaming up to smooth the way for a future of electric vehicles.
That future requires a revamped power system that can integrate a new breed of cars drawing massive amounts of electricity from the grid.
General Motors Corp. said the partnership, which also includes the Electric Vehicle Research Institute and other large utilities such as Southern California Edison, will deal with myriad complicated issues from tax incentives to where and when the cars can be recharged.
GM is working to bring the Chevrolet Volt rechargeable car to showrooms in late 2010. It's being designed to run on an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. When fully charged, the car will be able to travel 40 miles on battery power. For longer trips, a small internal combustion engine will recharge the batteries to keep the Volt moving.
“This vehicle is real. It's coming into production,” said Britta Gross, a GM engineer. “We know that when the vehicle is in the showroom and ready for sale, it's got to work seamlessly with the infrastructure.”
Duke has been working on a new “smart grid” in Charlotte for several years with future widespread production of electric cars in mind.
The Charlotte-based utility has been installing two-way data communication devices on its power lines and new smart meters on selected Charlotte homes to research how it could work. It has retrofitted several Toyota Prius hybrids so the batteries can be recharged in home outlets.
The grid would allow two-way data communication with the new electric cars when they are plugged in. The system could signal when cheap power is available for the six- to eight-hour recharge time or draw unused juice from the car's battery to help meet high power demand on the grid – if the car's owner is out of town, for example.
“The electric vehicle is the consummate smart grid application,” said Mike Rowand, Duke's director of advanced customer technologies.
An electric car revolution would mean increased sales for power companies, he said. But the goal is for the cars to mostly recharge at night when demand is generally low, meaning higher profits with lower stress on the system.
The Volt likely will need about eight kilowatt-hours of energy to recharge, Gross said. The average Carolinas rate is about 7 cents per kilowatt hour, so it would cost the consumer less than 60 cents to drive the 40 miles.
GM and the utilities announced the partnership Tuesday at a conference on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in San Jose, Calif.
The speed of the recharging, the voltage, the amperage and other issues all have to be worked out, Gross said. The consortium also will address issues such as how apartment dwellers can charge their cars and where vehicles will be charged at work and on trips – and who pays for the electricity, Gross said. “We want this to sell in just huge volumes,” he said, “so we want to get it right.”
A team of GM engineers and designers is working on the Volt, hoping to be the leader in plug-in electric vehicles. Other automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., are working on similar projects.
GM already is showing Volt prototypes to focus groups and testing a new generation of batteries. The car will be priced anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 – more expensive than most conventional cars.
The group, Gross said, likely will seek government tax incentives for buyers because of the benefits the cars might bring to society, such as lowered greenhouse gas emissions and reduced dependence on foreign oil.
The Associated Press contributed
DS2´s Chano Gomez, to share insights on bandwidth requirements for next generation Powerline home networks at CONNECTIONS™ 2008
Santa Clara, CA – 24th June, 2008 - DS2, the leading technology innovator and global supplier of high-speed powerline communications technology, announced today that it will demonstrate its 400Mbps powerline technology for next generation home networks during CONNECTIONS™2008, the Digital Living Conference and Showcase, taking place from 24th to 26th June at the Santa Clara Convention Centre, California. Chano Gomez, VP Marketing will share insights on the bandwidth requirements driving next generation connectivity requirements for home networking and convergence on the need for a single PHY/MAC worldwide standard for powerline home networking during a panel session.
Next generation powerline communications products must support bandwidth hungry applications including multi-channel HD-IPTV delivery or multi-room PVR that will require more than double the throughput speeds available today. Leading industry bodies are already deeply involved in the preparation of specifications to ensure standards based next generation powerline communications products. In the short term the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) specification, PowerMAX, will deliver a common PHY/MAC powerline technology for 400Mbps and beyond, HD-capable multimedia applications that will be fully interoperable with today’s 200Mbps UPA Digital Home Standard. DS2´s 200Mbps Powerline technology complies with UPA specifications. DS2 is also a member of the recently formed HomeGrid Forum, working to develop a common PHY/MAC technology that can use any wire in the home. Many companies deploying products based on stand-alone coax, powerline and phone line networking technologies will also offer products certified by HomeGrid Forum. DS2 will have a presence at the UPA and HomeGrid Forum booths, as well as a stand alone booth located in the showcase area: Booth # 412.
Who: Chano Gomez, VP Marketing, DS2 (www.ds2.es)
What: CONNECTED DEVICES: A Grown-up Home Network: Imagine the Possibilities!
Where: Grand Ballroom F, Santa Clara Convention Centre,
5001 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, California 95054
When: Wednesday, June 25th, 2.30pm
Next generation powerline communications products must support bandwidth hungry applications including multi-channel HD-IPTV delivery or multi-room PVR that will require more than double the throughput speeds available today. Leading industry bodies are already deeply involved in the preparation of specifications to ensure standards based next generation powerline communications products. In the short term the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) specification, PowerMAX, will deliver a common PHY/MAC powerline technology for 400Mbps and beyond, HD-capable multimedia applications that will be fully interoperable with today’s 200Mbps UPA Digital Home Standard. DS2´s 200Mbps Powerline technology complies with UPA specifications. DS2 is also a member of the recently formed HomeGrid Forum, working to develop a common PHY/MAC technology that can use any wire in the home. Many companies deploying products based on stand-alone coax, powerline and phone line networking technologies will also offer products certified by HomeGrid Forum. DS2 will have a presence at the UPA and HomeGrid Forum booths, as well as a stand alone booth located in the showcase area: Booth # 412.
Who: Chano Gomez, VP Marketing, DS2 (www.ds2.es)
What: CONNECTED DEVICES: A Grown-up Home Network: Imagine the Possibilities!
Where: Grand Ballroom F, Santa Clara Convention Centre,
5001 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, California 95054
When: Wednesday, June 25th, 2.30pm
BPL Global Provides Integrated DER Solution to FirstEnergy Subsidiary JCP&L
Tuesday July 15, 12:13 pm ET
Pilot Program to be Deployed by JCP&L
PITTSBURGH, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- BPL Global®, Ltd. (BPLG), a smart grid technology company dedicated to leading the transformation of energy and information delivery, has collaborated with Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp., to deploy an Integrated Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management system to demonstrate energy efficiency and reliability as well as customer satisfaction in JCP&L's service area.
The project combines JCP&L distribution design and operations expertise with BPLG software solutions and device technology. The Integrated DER project will deliver a projected eight megawatts of direct load control consisting of five megawatts from about 3,500 residential customers and three megawatts from 30 to 90 commercial and industrial customers. This industry-leading smart grid technology will support JCP&L's efforts to coordinate the management of distributed generation, renewables, energy storage and demand management.
The technology allows real-time management of the energy delivery system based on the changing conditions of the distribution network. The system can be configured to respond differently based on the condition of the grid, whether operations are normal, or under high load. Using the DER management solution can result in energy, operational, capital and environmental efficiencies that have the potential to create significant value for electric customers and utilities.
"This is a pivotal, enabling technology fundamental to transformation of the intelligent grid," said Keith Schaefer, BPLG's CEO. "JCP&L's commitment to innovation and vision of the future grid have provided invaluable direction to the development of our groundbreaking solution."
"The Integrated Distributed Energy Resource Management Pilot will demonstrate the value and viability of targeted peak load management as a source of system reliability and energy efficiency for our distribution circuits," said Steve Morgan, president, JCP&L. "The Pilot program incorporates smart grid technology and is also consistent with demonstrating alternative means of cost-effectively addressing critical goals related to demand response in the New Jersey Energy Master Plan."
This industry leading initiative is a co-development effort between BPLG and JCP&L to demonstrate an integrated approach to demand management and grid efficiency.
Pilot Program to be Deployed by JCP&L
PITTSBURGH, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- BPL Global®, Ltd. (BPLG), a smart grid technology company dedicated to leading the transformation of energy and information delivery, has collaborated with Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp., to deploy an Integrated Distributed Energy Resource (DER) management system to demonstrate energy efficiency and reliability as well as customer satisfaction in JCP&L's service area.
The project combines JCP&L distribution design and operations expertise with BPLG software solutions and device technology. The Integrated DER project will deliver a projected eight megawatts of direct load control consisting of five megawatts from about 3,500 residential customers and three megawatts from 30 to 90 commercial and industrial customers. This industry-leading smart grid technology will support JCP&L's efforts to coordinate the management of distributed generation, renewables, energy storage and demand management.
The technology allows real-time management of the energy delivery system based on the changing conditions of the distribution network. The system can be configured to respond differently based on the condition of the grid, whether operations are normal, or under high load. Using the DER management solution can result in energy, operational, capital and environmental efficiencies that have the potential to create significant value for electric customers and utilities.
"This is a pivotal, enabling technology fundamental to transformation of the intelligent grid," said Keith Schaefer, BPLG's CEO. "JCP&L's commitment to innovation and vision of the future grid have provided invaluable direction to the development of our groundbreaking solution."
"The Integrated Distributed Energy Resource Management Pilot will demonstrate the value and viability of targeted peak load management as a source of system reliability and energy efficiency for our distribution circuits," said Steve Morgan, president, JCP&L. "The Pilot program incorporates smart grid technology and is also consistent with demonstrating alternative means of cost-effectively addressing critical goals related to demand response in the New Jersey Energy Master Plan."
This industry leading initiative is a co-development effort between BPLG and JCP&L to demonstrate an integrated approach to demand management and grid efficiency.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
GridWeek: Washington, DC Sep 23-25, 2008...Delivering Sustainable Energy
GridWeek 2008...
Delivering Sustainable Energy
Washington, DC
Sep 23-25, 2008
GridWeek is the annual gathering in Washington, DC, of Smart Grid stakeholders and thought leaders.
GridWeek provides the opportunity for organizations focused on
Smart Grid to hold meetings and participate in collaborative sessions,
including leading speakers on the Smart Grid revolution.
International Summit
The first ever ISGS (International Smart Grid Summit), held as part of GridWeek 2008, brings together international Smart Grid executives to discuss Smart Grid developments around the world.
A realization is emerging that a new view of energy, beyond oil, coal and other fossil-based fuels, will result in decentralized components of the electricity grid, a far cry from the central generation and structured system of the past.
A smart information network for the electric grid is seen as
necessary to manage and automate this new world.
GridWeek is focused on this vision.
Driving Forces for
Objectives...
As the annual gathering of Smart Grid players...
To understand the role of Smart Grid in sustainability
To develop and promote the Smart Grid agenda
To educate on strategies and deployment of Smart Grid
To ensure energy independence and security
Conference Designed for...
Congress & Congressional Staff
Federal & State agencies
Federal & State regulators
Utility Executives & Staff
Technology & service providers
Electricity consumer & advocate groups
Smart Grid leaders & stakeholder
Press, analysts & other observers
Delivering Sustainable Energy
Washington, DC
Sep 23-25, 2008
GridWeek is the annual gathering in Washington, DC, of Smart Grid stakeholders and thought leaders.
GridWeek provides the opportunity for organizations focused on
Smart Grid to hold meetings and participate in collaborative sessions,
including leading speakers on the Smart Grid revolution.
International Summit
The first ever ISGS (International Smart Grid Summit), held as part of GridWeek 2008, brings together international Smart Grid executives to discuss Smart Grid developments around the world.
A realization is emerging that a new view of energy, beyond oil, coal and other fossil-based fuels, will result in decentralized components of the electricity grid, a far cry from the central generation and structured system of the past.
A smart information network for the electric grid is seen as
necessary to manage and automate this new world.
GridWeek is focused on this vision.
Driving Forces for
Objectives...
As the annual gathering of Smart Grid players...
To understand the role of Smart Grid in sustainability
To develop and promote the Smart Grid agenda
To educate on strategies and deployment of Smart Grid
To ensure energy independence and security
Conference Designed for...
Congress & Congressional Staff
Federal & State agencies
Federal & State regulators
Utility Executives & Staff
Technology & service providers
Electricity consumer & advocate groups
Smart Grid leaders & stakeholder
Press, analysts & other observers
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Corinex Provides Broadband Over Powerline In Ecuador
by Alan Harten
July 16, 2008
Corinex Communications Corp, has announced a new partnership with EMPRESA ELECTRICA QUITO (EEQ) which has selected the Consortium of TELCONET S.A., GILAUCO S.A. and BRIGHTCELL S.A. to deploy a Corinex Broadband over Powerline (BPL)
This is the second major announcement from Corinex in less than a week.
They announced on the 8th July that they had secured a contract to install and run Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology to multiple villages and educational campuses throughout India, as part of a venture linking the Indian and Canadian governments, for research into the development of BPL as a way of reaching remote villages in under-developed areas.
That contact has an initial value of $17 million.
Through this new venture residents and businesses in Quito will have the opportunity to receive voice, video and broadband Internet services in any standard electrical outlet in the home or office.
In addition to consumer services, the Consortium will be deploying automated meters, municipal security services and distribution automation of the EEQ grid.
The Corinex BPL network project is a full commercial deployment, and when completed it will span over 15,000 kilometres of EEQ’s medium and low voltage electrical lines, connect 27,000 of its transformers and be available to 800,000 residents.
The possibilities for growth in the country seem promising.
In 2000 there were just 180,000 internet subscribers out of a population of 12 million, that had grown to just under a million users by 2006.
That may be related to the average household income more than doubling over the same period.
Another aspect that may be holding back proliferation is that although there are over thirty providers in the nation, the average monthly bill is over $20, a high price in a low income country.
This new powerline option may enable a lowering of average charges and thus a more widespread audience, especially in areas previously cut off from internet services.
Currently the Consortium of TELCONET, GILAUCO, and BRIGHTCELL is connecting 1,000 transformers per month and expects to complete the full Corinex BPL network rollout within two and a half years.
The project is expected to be one of the largest deployments of BPL technology in the world, with the Consortium winning the EEQ contract to deliver broadband services for 10 years.
Customers will be able to order different service packages ranging from 256 kbps up to one Mbps broadband access with various VoIP and video options.
Deployment of the BPL network began in December 2007 in the major metropolitan area of Quito, where 550,000 of the 1,200,000 residents are located.
The BPL network is continuously expanding since its inception, with 17 communities scheduled for receiving services, including Tabacundo, San Miguel de los Bancos, Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Sangolquí, Machachi, Baeza, Conocoto, San Rafaél, Cumbayá, Tumbaco, El Quinche, Checa, Yaruquí, Guayllabamba, Puèllaro, Atahualpa and San José de Minas.
July 16, 2008
Corinex Communications Corp, has announced a new partnership with EMPRESA ELECTRICA QUITO (EEQ) which has selected the Consortium of TELCONET S.A., GILAUCO S.A. and BRIGHTCELL S.A. to deploy a Corinex Broadband over Powerline (BPL)
This is the second major announcement from Corinex in less than a week.
They announced on the 8th July that they had secured a contract to install and run Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology to multiple villages and educational campuses throughout India, as part of a venture linking the Indian and Canadian governments, for research into the development of BPL as a way of reaching remote villages in under-developed areas.
That contact has an initial value of $17 million.
Through this new venture residents and businesses in Quito will have the opportunity to receive voice, video and broadband Internet services in any standard electrical outlet in the home or office.
In addition to consumer services, the Consortium will be deploying automated meters, municipal security services and distribution automation of the EEQ grid.
The Corinex BPL network project is a full commercial deployment, and when completed it will span over 15,000 kilometres of EEQ’s medium and low voltage electrical lines, connect 27,000 of its transformers and be available to 800,000 residents.
The possibilities for growth in the country seem promising.
In 2000 there were just 180,000 internet subscribers out of a population of 12 million, that had grown to just under a million users by 2006.
That may be related to the average household income more than doubling over the same period.
Another aspect that may be holding back proliferation is that although there are over thirty providers in the nation, the average monthly bill is over $20, a high price in a low income country.
This new powerline option may enable a lowering of average charges and thus a more widespread audience, especially in areas previously cut off from internet services.
Currently the Consortium of TELCONET, GILAUCO, and BRIGHTCELL is connecting 1,000 transformers per month and expects to complete the full Corinex BPL network rollout within two and a half years.
The project is expected to be one of the largest deployments of BPL technology in the world, with the Consortium winning the EEQ contract to deliver broadband services for 10 years.
Customers will be able to order different service packages ranging from 256 kbps up to one Mbps broadband access with various VoIP and video options.
Deployment of the BPL network began in December 2007 in the major metropolitan area of Quito, where 550,000 of the 1,200,000 residents are located.
The BPL network is continuously expanding since its inception, with 17 communities scheduled for receiving services, including Tabacundo, San Miguel de los Bancos, Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Sangolquí, Machachi, Baeza, Conocoto, San Rafaél, Cumbayá, Tumbaco, El Quinche, Checa, Yaruquí, Guayllabamba, Puèllaro, Atahualpa and San José de Minas.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Call for efficiency widens in utility sector !!!
Call for efficiency widens in utility sector
By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
Last update: 9:51 p.m. EDT July 10, 2008NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- It's rare in the history of American business for an industry to discourage people from buying more of its own product, but that's exactly what giant utility companies are doing with their customers nowadays.
Up against skyrocketing costs of power plants, fuel to generate electricity and an already burdened infrastructure, U.S. power providers are throwing the switch on efficiency to curb the need for pricey new power plants, power lines and substations.
"There are major changes coming," Thomas Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute trade group said at a press briefing Thursday. "Electric companies want to re-invent the role that energy efficiency plays within our industry. We want to turn energy efficiency to a primary focus."
more ... Call for efficiency widens in utility sector
By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
Last update: 9:51 p.m. EDT July 10, 2008NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- It's rare in the history of American business for an industry to discourage people from buying more of its own product, but that's exactly what giant utility companies are doing with their customers nowadays.
Up against skyrocketing costs of power plants, fuel to generate electricity and an already burdened infrastructure, U.S. power providers are throwing the switch on efficiency to curb the need for pricey new power plants, power lines and substations.
"There are major changes coming," Thomas Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute trade group said at a press briefing Thursday. "Electric companies want to re-invent the role that energy efficiency plays within our industry. We want to turn energy efficiency to a primary focus."
more ... Call for efficiency widens in utility sector
Watch Video:
Click here: The Modern Grid !!!
The Modern Grid Strategy
NETL’s Modern Grid Strategy (MGS) seeks to accelerate the modernization of our nation’s electricity grid. To accomplish this, MGS is fostering the development of a common, national vision among grid stakeholders. MGS is also working toward a framework that enables utilities, vendors, consumers, researchers and other stakeholders to form partnerships and overcome barriers. Finally, MGS supports demonstrations of systems of key technologies that can serve as the foundation for an integrated, modern power grid.
The Challenge of the Old Grid: America’s global competitiveness and quality of life depend upon plentiful, reliable electric power. Consider some of the economic consequences of power losses:
Power interruptions and disturbances cost the U.S. electricity consumer at least $79 billion per year1 [PDF-94KB]
A recent rolling blackout caused an estimated $75 million [PDF-692KB] in losses in Silicon Valley alone.2
When the Chicago Board of Trade lost power for an hour during the summer of 2000, trades worth $20 trillion [PDF-692KB] could not be executed.3
Our nation is increasingly held back by an outdated power delivery infrastructure. Designed in the 1960s or earlier, much of this critical national asset is well beyond its design life. The financial consequences of interruptions are growing into an enormous threat.
A Vision for the Modern Grid
Characteristics of
the Modern Grid
Technologies of
the Modern Grid
Benefits of the
Modern Grid
The Modern Grid Stakeholder Community
Current Documents
Opportunity – A New Dawn for the Grid: The power grid is increasingly operating at its limit, facing shortcomings in capacity, reliability, security and power quality. Smart investments must occur to replace aging infrastructure and expand capacity where necessary to meet increasing electricity demand. This investment represents a once-in-a-century opportunity to apply new technologies and systems rather than the antiquated designs and technologies of the 1960s and earlier. New advances in power delivery, communications and information technology have laid the groundwork for a modern grid. Proven effective in lab tests and field trials, these cutting-edge solutions offer dramatic improvements in power quality, service and cost savings.
The technology is here, the challenges are manageable, and the benefits far outweigh the costs. Through collaboration and cooperation, we can renew the nation’s power infrastructure in a phased, affordable way and create the foundation for our country’s economic growth and prosperity.
Follow the links to the right to learn more about our efforts to modernize the grid, or contact a MGS team member directly by sending an email to: moderngrid@netl.doe.gov.
The Modern Grid Strategy
NETL’s Modern Grid Strategy (MGS) seeks to accelerate the modernization of our nation’s electricity grid. To accomplish this, MGS is fostering the development of a common, national vision among grid stakeholders. MGS is also working toward a framework that enables utilities, vendors, consumers, researchers and other stakeholders to form partnerships and overcome barriers. Finally, MGS supports demonstrations of systems of key technologies that can serve as the foundation for an integrated, modern power grid.
The Challenge of the Old Grid: America’s global competitiveness and quality of life depend upon plentiful, reliable electric power. Consider some of the economic consequences of power losses:
Power interruptions and disturbances cost the U.S. electricity consumer at least $79 billion per year1 [PDF-94KB]
A recent rolling blackout caused an estimated $75 million [PDF-692KB] in losses in Silicon Valley alone.2
When the Chicago Board of Trade lost power for an hour during the summer of 2000, trades worth $20 trillion [PDF-692KB] could not be executed.3
Our nation is increasingly held back by an outdated power delivery infrastructure. Designed in the 1960s or earlier, much of this critical national asset is well beyond its design life. The financial consequences of interruptions are growing into an enormous threat.
A Vision for the Modern Grid
Characteristics of
the Modern Grid
Technologies of
the Modern Grid
Benefits of the
Modern Grid
The Modern Grid Stakeholder Community
Current Documents
Opportunity – A New Dawn for the Grid: The power grid is increasingly operating at its limit, facing shortcomings in capacity, reliability, security and power quality. Smart investments must occur to replace aging infrastructure and expand capacity where necessary to meet increasing electricity demand. This investment represents a once-in-a-century opportunity to apply new technologies and systems rather than the antiquated designs and technologies of the 1960s and earlier. New advances in power delivery, communications and information technology have laid the groundwork for a modern grid. Proven effective in lab tests and field trials, these cutting-edge solutions offer dramatic improvements in power quality, service and cost savings.
The technology is here, the challenges are manageable, and the benefits far outweigh the costs. Through collaboration and cooperation, we can renew the nation’s power infrastructure in a phased, affordable way and create the foundation for our country’s economic growth and prosperity.
Follow the links to the right to learn more about our efforts to modernize the grid, or contact a MGS team member directly by sending an email to: moderngrid@netl.doe.gov.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
200Mbps BPL to Connect Amethi Villagers -- in India !!
BPL to Connect Amethi Villagers
By Sonal Desai
Mumbai, Jul 8, 2008
Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology will be used to provide Broadband access to ten villages in Amethi (Uttar Pradesh). These villages, with a collective population of about 3,000, can avail of this service within 12 months.
These villages will have automated water and electric meters in the next nine months. The villagers will also be able to execute intelligent grid management.
The ten villages are a part of a multi million dollar pilot project that will connect them over the Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology. BPL equipment is used to send an IP signal at 200 Mbps over existing power lines in medium and low voltage applications.
The technology can provide real-time access for utility application from usage information, proactive outage notification, automatic meter reading, load management capabilities among other utility management and customer service enhancements.
"The technology will provide access to multiple forms of communication including the World Wide Web and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)," said Retaish Parimoo, MD (India operations) for Maple Leaf India.
New Delhi-based Maple Leaf has partnered with Vancouver-based Corinex and the Indian Institute of Information Technology (Allahabad) for the project, to be based on a hub and spoke model.
Citing the benefits of installing BPL, Parimoo said, "The BPL can be installed on existing transmission lines, and will therefore not disturb infrastructure." Currently, the company is in talks with the ministry of science and technology, and utility companies for the required permissions.
Once the infrastructure is set-up, the villagers will be a part of a bi-directional flow of information. BPL can then be used for various other functions of e-governance such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and information on other government schemes. It will also be cost effective. A kilometer of the BPL technology costs one-fourth of optical fiber, Parimoo said.
He said the company is presently importing the technology from Vancouver, but if the demand for BPL increases, it will consider manufacturing the technology in India. He said that once the project starts off, Maple will bid for similar projects to connect villages across India.
By Sonal Desai
Mumbai, Jul 8, 2008
Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology will be used to provide Broadband access to ten villages in Amethi (Uttar Pradesh). These villages, with a collective population of about 3,000, can avail of this service within 12 months.
These villages will have automated water and electric meters in the next nine months. The villagers will also be able to execute intelligent grid management.
The ten villages are a part of a multi million dollar pilot project that will connect them over the Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology. BPL equipment is used to send an IP signal at 200 Mbps over existing power lines in medium and low voltage applications.
The technology can provide real-time access for utility application from usage information, proactive outage notification, automatic meter reading, load management capabilities among other utility management and customer service enhancements.
"The technology will provide access to multiple forms of communication including the World Wide Web and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)," said Retaish Parimoo, MD (India operations) for Maple Leaf India.
New Delhi-based Maple Leaf has partnered with Vancouver-based Corinex and the Indian Institute of Information Technology (Allahabad) for the project, to be based on a hub and spoke model.
Citing the benefits of installing BPL, Parimoo said, "The BPL can be installed on existing transmission lines, and will therefore not disturb infrastructure." Currently, the company is in talks with the ministry of science and technology, and utility companies for the required permissions.
Once the infrastructure is set-up, the villagers will be a part of a bi-directional flow of information. BPL can then be used for various other functions of e-governance such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and information on other government schemes. It will also be cost effective. A kilometer of the BPL technology costs one-fourth of optical fiber, Parimoo said.
He said the company is presently importing the technology from Vancouver, but if the demand for BPL increases, it will consider manufacturing the technology in India. He said that once the project starts off, Maple will bid for similar projects to connect villages across India.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Corinex Providing Internet Access to Villages in India Through Broadband over Powerline Technology
Company playing key role in science and technology research and development initiatives between India and Canada, valued at more than $17 million
(Vancouver, B.C. – July 7, 2008) ― Corinex Communications Corp., a leading provider of Powerline and Coaxial networking products, announces today that they will lead a project to provide Internet access to villages in India through Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology. The technology will connect adjoining villages in India to the Internet using existing powerlines to transfer broadband Internet access. Corinex’s BPL technology is one of the recipients of joint science and technology research awards and development initiatives between India and Canada, valued at more than $17 million.
The objective of this research and development project is to develop BPL technology to suit Indian conditions so the technology can be later deployed for large scale use. The technology will deliver multi-fold benefits to India when it connects villages throughout the country to the Internet. Corinex’s BPL technology will provide access to multiple forms of communication including the World Wide Web and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Vancouver-based Corinex will be working with the Indian Institute of Information Technology (Allahabad) in partnership with the Maple Leaf India Pvt. Limited in New Delhi, India.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with our colleagues at Maple Leaf India and the Indian Institute of Information Technology on this project,” said Scott Despot, Senior Director of Sales at Corinex Communications Corp. “Bringing Internet connectivity to remote villages in India with Corinex’s Broadband over Powerline technology is a very exciting endeavor, and we look forward to the project.”
“This opportunity will allow us to showcase suitability of BPL technology for mass deployment opportunities across India,” said Retaish Parimoo, GM of MapleLeaf India. “After the successful installation of Corinex BPL technology with IIIT (Allahabad) it is a natural step to move forward.”
Indian union minister of science, technology and earth sciences, Kapil Sibal, and Canadian minister of foreign affairs and international trade for the Pacific Gateway, David Emerson, announced 10 joint research and development initiatives involving Canadian and Indian companies valued at more than $17 million.
The award to Corinex Communications will be used for project deployment of the BPL solution in two campuses. Ten villages are targeted to be completed approximately one year from the day work begins – subject to various factors. It is anticipated deployment will be completed in the villages, connecting about 3,000 users, within the next 18 months. During this period research and development will also be focused towards making this technology adoptable in India for intelligent grid, automatic meter reading, power management applications, etc.
Once the technology is deployed on a large scale, the revenues will be generated every month for the total life span of the equipments with minimal maintenance costs. Also, since the same infrastructure will be usable for intelligent grid management as well, there will be significant benefits for the utility in using this technology, hence the investments in this technology development are well justified.
(Vancouver, B.C. – July 7, 2008) ― Corinex Communications Corp., a leading provider of Powerline and Coaxial networking products, announces today that they will lead a project to provide Internet access to villages in India through Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technology. The technology will connect adjoining villages in India to the Internet using existing powerlines to transfer broadband Internet access. Corinex’s BPL technology is one of the recipients of joint science and technology research awards and development initiatives between India and Canada, valued at more than $17 million.
The objective of this research and development project is to develop BPL technology to suit Indian conditions so the technology can be later deployed for large scale use. The technology will deliver multi-fold benefits to India when it connects villages throughout the country to the Internet. Corinex’s BPL technology will provide access to multiple forms of communication including the World Wide Web and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Vancouver-based Corinex will be working with the Indian Institute of Information Technology (Allahabad) in partnership with the Maple Leaf India Pvt. Limited in New Delhi, India.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with our colleagues at Maple Leaf India and the Indian Institute of Information Technology on this project,” said Scott Despot, Senior Director of Sales at Corinex Communications Corp. “Bringing Internet connectivity to remote villages in India with Corinex’s Broadband over Powerline technology is a very exciting endeavor, and we look forward to the project.”
“This opportunity will allow us to showcase suitability of BPL technology for mass deployment opportunities across India,” said Retaish Parimoo, GM of MapleLeaf India. “After the successful installation of Corinex BPL technology with IIIT (Allahabad) it is a natural step to move forward.”
Indian union minister of science, technology and earth sciences, Kapil Sibal, and Canadian minister of foreign affairs and international trade for the Pacific Gateway, David Emerson, announced 10 joint research and development initiatives involving Canadian and Indian companies valued at more than $17 million.
The award to Corinex Communications will be used for project deployment of the BPL solution in two campuses. Ten villages are targeted to be completed approximately one year from the day work begins – subject to various factors. It is anticipated deployment will be completed in the villages, connecting about 3,000 users, within the next 18 months. During this period research and development will also be focused towards making this technology adoptable in India for intelligent grid, automatic meter reading, power management applications, etc.
Once the technology is deployed on a large scale, the revenues will be generated every month for the total life span of the equipments with minimal maintenance costs. Also, since the same infrastructure will be usable for intelligent grid management as well, there will be significant benefits for the utility in using this technology, hence the investments in this technology development are well justified.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Phase3 telecom expands cheaper powerline Internet option
Bill Okonedo
30 June, 2008 02:00:00
Cheaper Internet service opportunities might in the pipeline for Nigerians as an indigenous company, Phase 3 Telecom, which provides broadband Internet service over high voltage power transmission lines has earmarked $200 million (N23.6 billion) for the expansion of its' service coverage across Nigeria.
Power line communication (PLC), also known as power line carrier, mains communication, power line telecom (PLT), or power line networking (PLN), is a system for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission. Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) uses PLC by sending and receiving radio signals over power lines to provide access to the Internet.
Electrical power is transmitted over high voltage transmission lines, distributed over medium voltage, and used inside buildings at lower voltages. Powerline communications can be applied at each stage. Most PLC technologies limit themselves to one set of wires (for example, premises wiring), but some can cross between two levels (for example, both the distribution network and premises wiring).
Phase 3 Telecom which is licensed to offer transmission services in the telecommunications sector says it will spend the money for its optic fibre coverage across Nigeria.
Stanley Jegede, the,chief executive officer says the company has before now spent over $100m deploying optic fibre in many cities in Nigeria and providing the needed backbone that had been absent in many towns and cities.
Jegede said that the company, which has been operating in Nigeria for about five years , has been providing services using optic fibre over high voltage power transmission lines, adding that this would be combined with underground fibre to compliment where necessary.
He explained fibre over high voltage which involves lashing and stringing optic fibre over power lines holds a lot of advantages over the traditional underground laying of fibre. He said the advantages include security and high-level reliability.
All power line communications systems operate by impressing a modulated carrier signal on the wiring system. Different types of powerline communications use different frequency bands, depending on the signal transmission characteristics of the power wiring used. Since the power wiring system was originally intended for transmission of AC power, the power wire circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. The propagation problem is a limiting factor for each type of power line communications.
Data rates over a power line communication system vary widely. Low-frequency (about 100-200 kHz) carriers impressed on high-voltage transmission lines may carry one or two analog voice circuits, or telemetry and control circuits with an equivalent data rate of a few hundred bits per second; however, these circuits may be many miles (kilometres) long. Higher data rates generally imply shorter ranges; a local area network operating at millions of bits per second may only cover one floor of an office building, but eliminates installation of dedicated network cabling.
30 June, 2008 02:00:00
Cheaper Internet service opportunities might in the pipeline for Nigerians as an indigenous company, Phase 3 Telecom, which provides broadband Internet service over high voltage power transmission lines has earmarked $200 million (N23.6 billion) for the expansion of its' service coverage across Nigeria.
Power line communication (PLC), also known as power line carrier, mains communication, power line telecom (PLT), or power line networking (PLN), is a system for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission. Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) uses PLC by sending and receiving radio signals over power lines to provide access to the Internet.
Electrical power is transmitted over high voltage transmission lines, distributed over medium voltage, and used inside buildings at lower voltages. Powerline communications can be applied at each stage. Most PLC technologies limit themselves to one set of wires (for example, premises wiring), but some can cross between two levels (for example, both the distribution network and premises wiring).
Phase 3 Telecom which is licensed to offer transmission services in the telecommunications sector says it will spend the money for its optic fibre coverage across Nigeria.
Stanley Jegede, the,chief executive officer says the company has before now spent over $100m deploying optic fibre in many cities in Nigeria and providing the needed backbone that had been absent in many towns and cities.
Jegede said that the company, which has been operating in Nigeria for about five years , has been providing services using optic fibre over high voltage power transmission lines, adding that this would be combined with underground fibre to compliment where necessary.
He explained fibre over high voltage which involves lashing and stringing optic fibre over power lines holds a lot of advantages over the traditional underground laying of fibre. He said the advantages include security and high-level reliability.
All power line communications systems operate by impressing a modulated carrier signal on the wiring system. Different types of powerline communications use different frequency bands, depending on the signal transmission characteristics of the power wiring used. Since the power wiring system was originally intended for transmission of AC power, the power wire circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. The propagation problem is a limiting factor for each type of power line communications.
Data rates over a power line communication system vary widely. Low-frequency (about 100-200 kHz) carriers impressed on high-voltage transmission lines may carry one or two analog voice circuits, or telemetry and control circuits with an equivalent data rate of a few hundred bits per second; however, these circuits may be many miles (kilometres) long. Higher data rates generally imply shorter ranges; a local area network operating at millions of bits per second may only cover one floor of an office building, but eliminates installation of dedicated network cabling.
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