Landis+Gyr Technology Enables Full Service Smart Grid Coverage
ATLANTA, Georgia, USA – March 31, 2009 – Landis+Gyr, which began deploying a Gridstream™ two-way smart grid communications network at Austin Energy in 2008, announced it is on schedule to complete the 280,000 meter project by August 2009.
Landis+Gyr is providing support services for the deployment of advanced meters and a turn-key network hardware upgrade as part of its managed services agreement with Austin Energy. The company began deploying the Gridstream two-way RF mesh network as part of an expanded management contract with Austin Energy that was signed last year.
More than 165,000 two-way meters have been installed so far, and integration with the utility’s meter data management system is underway. Landis+Gyr and Austin Energy are testing access to interval usage and metering data, and will soon begin testing other advanced features, such as remote disconnect and load management.
Austin Energy’s deployment will enable the utility to leverage its network for smart grid and demand response applications, including in-home networking, and distributed generation and automation.
“As the deployment proceeds we continue to identify ways in which the Gridstream network will provide value for Austin Energy’s aggressive smart grid initiatives,” said Tracy Moore, Senior Vice President of Services at Landis+Gyr. “Austin Energy is one of the leaders in promoting conservation and alternative energy applications for its consumers. Its smart grid initiatives are supporting those efforts.”
Austin Energy is the ninth largest community-owned electric utility in the nation, serving nearly 400,000 electricity customers in and around Austin, Texas. The utility has used a Landis+Gyr fixed-network advanced metering solution for approximately a third of its customers since 2002.
The Landis+Gyr Gridstream solution combines industry-leading communication technologies for advanced metering, distribution automation and personal energy management with interoperable tools for monitoring and controlling energy delivery to help utilities and consumers manage energy better.