An agreement signed by the CURRENT Group and Verizon (News - Alert) is expected to make available real-time power consumption and analysis communications between electric utilities and the sensors deployed on their networks.

 

This will be rendered possible by combining intelligent distributed sensing from CURRENT with an IP-based solution from communications giant Verizon.

 

The joint smart grid solution leverages the core capabilities of both companies. Verizon will provide the underlying wireless and IP network services, network and security services, and IT security consulting services. It can also help electric companies to identify risks and suggest suitable ways to protect data, applications, IT systems and networks. In short, it can offer security solutions to make companies feel protected from cyber attacks.

 

Contributions from CURRENT are in the form of intelligent sensors, which monitor distribution grid performance. These sensors will also track the OpenGrid utility element management system, and System Optimization and Reliability analytical software solutions.

 

Rilck Noel, managing director for Verizon’s global energy and utility practice said, “This package of essential ingredients will help jump-start power industry efforts to employ smart grid technologies in their day-to-day business operations.” He went on to add overall grid operations would improve and a secure, IT enabled smart grid would be available.

 

CURRENT CEO, Tom Casey, concerned about the skyrocketing infrastructure costs, decrease in energy consumption, and uncertainty in policy, seemed to take comfort from the Joint Smart Grid solution. He said, “Integrated distribution smart grid technologies like that of CURRENT and Verizon provide utilities with low investment solutions that are easy to deploy and deliver fast, measurable results.”

 

The vast experience of both companies hold them in good stead while delivering key building blocks for an IP enabled smart grid. On the one hand, this would enable electric utilities to process information, securely, reliably and more quickly and on the other, efficiency in production, distribution and consumption would increase.

 

A Joint Smart Grid will give electric companies the option of adopting the solution on a substation-by-substation basis, application-by-application basis or enterprise-wide basis.

 

Verizon delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and CURRENT Group, LLC, delivers innovative and industry-leading intelligent solutions that optimize the distribution system and offer utilities new ways to monitor and manage the health of the grid. It seems that it just couldn't get any better.

 

With the Joint Smart Grid in place, utility companies and their customers can hope to optimize energy supply and demand, improve security and reliability, and reduce operational costs.