Communications holding company AT&T announced a partnership with CURRENT Group, a provider of distribution Smart Grid solutions, to expand AT&T's (News - Alert) smart grid solutions offerings for utilities throughout the U.S.

 

Under this partnership, AT&T will offer CURRENT Smart Grid Distribution Solutions, which help utilities increase grid efficiency and system capacity by managing demand dynamically and reducing power delivery losses, company officials said.

 

Smart grid technology includes smart meters, wireless technology, sensors and software. With this technology, customers and utilities can closely monitor energy use and cut back when the availability of electricity is stretched to its limit.

 

The agreement between AT&T and CURRENT provides utilities with an integrated solution that includes the breadth of AT&T's managed and network services, combined with AT&T's mobile broadband network. This integrated solution enables utilities to streamline deployment and reduces equipment and maintenance costs with.

 

New relationship with CURRENT will help utilities move from their traditional distribution infrastructure into a smart grid model that provides centralized real-time data collection and analysis - without touching the end customer and without relying on meters, the company said.

 

CURRENT's technology enables utilities to implement their Smart Grid programs quickly, affordably and reliably. CURRENT's solutions include intelligent sensors and analytical software that monitor distribution grid performance; its OpenGrid utility element management system; and its System Optimization and Reliability analytical software solutions.

 

AT&T's suite of M2M pricing plans designed specifically for the smart grid market makes this solution an economical choice for utilities, the company said.

 

This partnership also provides utilities with the advanced and secure infrastructure to enable real-time data, which allows CURRENT to offer utilities the advanced sensing and control needed to reduce power consumption, increase reliability and improve distribution grid operations.

 

CURRENT's solutions deliver "consumer-less energy efficiency through load reduction, improved grid operations, and helps speed the integration and management of renewable energy sources," according to company officials. The solutions enable utilities to prove energy savings and carbon emission reductions, critical for regulatory compliance and proof of value. 

 

AT&T has also formed a partnership with Cooper Power Systems to offer Cooper Power Smart Sensor solution, which provides utilities with a reliable means to locate and isolate problems on electricity delivery lines such as faults and failed capacitor assets, and communicate the event within the system.