SmartSynch GridRouter Performs Successfully During Duke Energy Pilot Program

JACKSON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SmartSynch, a smart grid technology company utilizing standard IP communications via cellular networks, announced today that its GridRouter™ universal communications solution has performed successfully in energy management pilot programs conducted by Duke Energy at businesses and universities.

“We applaud Duke Energy for conducting these pilot programs”

In one specific application at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., Duke Energy is using the GridRouter and other digital smart grid devices to gather and aggregate real-time energy usage data from seven campus buildings. The usage data is transmitted to Duke Energy over a secure communications network enabled by the GridRouter and then sent back to the campus community and the public at large through a campus metering page on the college’s website.

With the aid of a custom software application developed by Duke Energy for this project, the GridRouter enables distribution of energy efficiency data, demand response and pricing information from Duke’s corporate information systems back to the customer’s building automation systems. Duke Energy designed the software application, which resides on the GridRouter, using a software development kit that SmartSynch built into the solution to allow utilities to design custom software applications to meet specific smart grid needs.

“Digital, smart grid technology is changing how we do business and how we provide energy for our customers,” explains Tom Fenimore, Duke Energy’s product development manager who worked with Catawba College on the pilot project. “By working with our customers to deliver more energy usage information on a recurring basis, our customers can make more informed energy buying decisions which can help them save money while reducing their carbon footprint.”

Launched in December 2009, SmartSynch’s GridRouter is one of the industry’s first universal smart grid communications solution. With the GridRouter, utilities can seamlessly and easily communicate with every possible device on the smart grid regardless of make, model or communication protocol.

Designed on the principles of openness and interoperability, the IP-enabled GridRouter is a universal, interchangeable and remotely upgradeable solution engineered to revolutionize the smart grid. Specifically, the GridRouter:

• Provides a point-to-point smart grid communications platform that can facilitate data transfer to any smart grid device on any network (public or private)
• Can be managed by standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network IT management tools that most utilities already implement
• Functions like any other network appliance on an IP network, such as a PC or copy machine.
• Offers a standard, open platform that allows multiple companies to provide value to the customer as part of an “ecosystem of innovation”
• Is field upgradeable, allowing utilities to add multiple communication technologies to their smart grid communications infrastructure based on future needs without having to replace an entire system backbone
• Features a built-in software development kit (SDK) allowing utilities to design and utilize custom software applications to meet specific smart grid needs

Currently, utilities have few options to purchase and integrate non-interoperable proprietary technologies from multiple vendors that have purpose-built network communications. The GridRouter bridges the network gap between these types of devices and allows each vendor to participate in an open ecosystem, and helps utilities avoid being locked into one specific technology or device. Visit www.gridrouter.com for more information, including a virtual demonstration.

“We applaud Duke Energy for conducting these pilot programs,” said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch Chief Executive Officer. “This solution is going to transform the smart electricity grid as we know it, and pave the way for utilities to embrace new applications and networks, utilize greater bandwidth and increase smart grid functionality.”

About SmartSynch

SmartSynch is a company that creates smart grids for the utility industry. Since 2000, we have been the only provider of open standards, IP-to-the-endpoint smart grid solutions that utilize a cellular network as the communications backbone. Our clean-tech innovations in the two-way delivery of real-time energy usage data over cellular networks, in lieu of proprietary networks, have to-date simplified deployments for 150 major North American utilities, while enabling their clean-energy initiatives and delivering greater Returns on Resources.

As a smart grid infrastructure company, SmartSynch’s IP-based solutions are capable of delivering grid intelligence to and from any device. Our products and services include SmartMeters™ and SmartBoxes™ that immediately IP-enable the grid, software solutions, and network management services for utilities and their customers, as well as clean-tech companies in need of remote communications and control functionality for products ranging from solar panels to plug-in hybrid vehicles.

IP-based cellular networks enable utilities to strategically and rapidly deploy more secure and scalable smart grid solutions with minimal capital expenditures. IP networks and solutions may be remotely upgraded to interface with new technologies, since they are built upon open standards and leverage existing programs and tools. SmartSynch’s IP-based smart grid communications infrastructure encourages rapid application innovation and delivery of new functionality by allowing the broadest spectrum of ecosystem participants to focus on providing maximum benefits to utilities and their customers.

For more information, visit www.smartsynch.com and follow SmartSynch on Twitter at www.twitter.com/smartsynch.

About Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com. To learn more and contribute to the discussion about the energy issues of today and the possibilities of tomorrow see www.sheddingalight.org.