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In Smarter Utility news this week, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority has awarded a contract worth $4 million for a turnkey microwave backhaul solution; the Kingdom of Bahrain has become the first nation in the Persian Gulf to deploy utility scale solar; and a Tampa-based company has introduced a cloud-based solution for operators of marginal gas wells that requires no truck rolls to download critical status data.

Ceragon (News - Alert) Network Ltd. has signed a $4-million deal to supply microwave backhaul solutions and provide turnkey services to the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. The NTUA serves the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah – providing electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater treatment, renewable energy and telecommunications access. The project is being funded under a National Telecommunications Infrastructure Administration grant awarded to NTUA in 2010.

Petra Solar announced on May 21 that it will be part of a major consortium that will deploy a five-megawatt (MW) grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain, near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. The landmark project will be the first of its kind in the region. The initiative will leverage smart solar technology developed in the United States by Petra Solar to generate electricity in a reliable way that stabilizes electricity distribution – and potentially create jobs at several skill levels in Bahrain. Joining Petra Solar on the development team are National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), and Caspian Energy Holdings. Together, they will bring solar and smart grid benefits to the small BAPCO township of Awali, the University of Bahrain and other locations in the region.

Tampa-based Fielding Systems, which provides cloud-based solutions to the oil and gas industry, is offering a service directly targeted at marginal gas well operators. The service requires no truck rolls to download critical gas measurement data. The term, “marginal well,” refers to a site that is nearing the end of its economically useful life – or yielding less than 60,000 cubic feet of gas per day. Because of its low production rates and high production costs, a marginal well becomes unprofitable to operate whenever gas prices drop below a crucial profit point. Fielding Systems now provides a solution through the Marginal Well Service, which comprises VisorBridge, the industry’s only SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) in the cloud service; and ReportVisor, an automated report and scheduling engine.  

 Although many organizations today are keen on cutting energy usage, they have no idea how to monitor it. To allow commercial and industrial facilities to scrutinize energy usage, Opto 22 is offering a compact energy monitoring unit called OptoEMU Sensor DR. When connected to utility meters and plant systems, it gathers real-time energy consumption and demand data; which is then delivered to Web-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) energy management applications and enterprise business systems, where it can be analyzed to develop effective energy management strategies that reduce costs. Connections to SaaS energy management application – such as Pulse (News - Alert) Energy's Pulse and eSight Energy's eSight—are easily set up using the included configuration software. In addition, according to the manufacturer, the OptoEMU Sensor DR helps businesses to take advantage of lucrative demand-response (DR) programs from their local utilities. In response to a request from the utility to reduce power usage, the Sensor DR can signal electrical equipment to shed load. DR programs can provide revenue to businesses in three ways – first, by receiving discounts from utilities for simply agreeing to shed load, second, from actual reductions in power consumption, and third, from selling electricity back to the utility or energy provider.

Proximetry and Wireless have launched a unified solution that helps resolve the operational demands and performance challenges of today’s wireless networks. This integrated approach comprises Proximetry’s AirSync performance management software and EDX’s (News - Alert) design and planning tools – which together provide more accurate and dynamic inputs for tuning of RF propagation models and active provisioning of wireless links to remote devices. Leveraging this joint solution, according to the CEO, will help utilities drive down network deployment costs, while improving the network’s reliability and performance simultaneously.

It is essential to monitor the unusual presence or depletion of a range of gases. There are different tools available that enable organizations to detect any potential risk of non-compliance to policies. However, these systems require a high level of effort. But RAE Systems has now introduced the AutoRAE 2 Automatic Test and Calibration System. The system is modular, scalable and easy to configure to meet the exact needs of customers. This newly launched system for the MultiRAE family of multi-threat monitors allows organizations to keep gas detection equipment accurate. It ensures users’ safety while remaining in compliance with government regulations and internal policies and procedures.

Finally, Crestron, a source of advanced control and automation solutions, has launched the Fusion platform, designed to deliver an enterprise-wide integrated building management solution. The solution comprises two products – Fusion RV (RoomView) and Fusion EM (Energy Management). With Fusion RV, managers can centrally monitor and manage room scheduling; as well as AV presentation and video conferencing resources, including CaptureLiveHD, from the help desk. Fusion EM manages and monitors renewable and sustainable energy sources in real time, and displays historical usage data. The solution is integrated with Microsoft Exchange Server, IBM (News - Alert), Lotus Notes, and CollegeNet R25 for scheduling.