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Research Briefings

Networking the Smart Grid

Summary:

We are currently at an inflection point with regard to smart grid upgrades. For the first time, the smart grid movement has the backing of the U.S. government and increasing buy-in from state public utility commissions; utilities themselves are beginning to aggressively push smart meter deployments and broader smart grid initiatives; new advancements in technology promise to revolutionize the capabilities of the grid; and a robust technology vendor ecosystem has begun to form. Within the IT and telecommunications industries in particular, the utility sector is seen as a market ripe for innovation and expansion.

  1. Executive Summary
    1. Smart Grid Market Drivers
    2. Smart Grid Networking
      1. Wide Area Networking Technologies
      2. Home Area Networking Technologies
  2. Market Issues
    1. Introduction and Background
    2. Market Drivers
    3. Barriers to Smart Grid Deployment
    4. Smart Grid Definition
  3. Networking Technologies
    1. Role of Communication Networks
    2. Smart Grid Networking Technologies
    3. Wide Area Networking (WAN) Technologies
    4. Home Area Networking (HAN) Technologies
    5. Standards: IP vs. proprietary technologies
    6. Security
  4. Key Industry Players
    1. Utilities 
      1. American Electric Power (AEP)
      2. Austin Energy
      3. CenterPoint Energy
      4. Duke Energy
      5. Pacific Gas & Electric
      6. Southern California Edison
      7. San Diego Gas & Electric
      8. Xcel Energy
    2. Wireless Service Providers
      1. AT&T
      2. Verizon Wireless
    3. Networking Vendors
      1. Ambient Corporation
      2. Arch Rock
      3. CURRENT Group
      4. Digi International
      5. Echelon Corporation
      6. Eka Systems
      7. Ember
      8. Plextek
      9. Silver Spring Networks
      10. Tantalus
      11. Trilliant
      12. Tropos Networks
      13. ZigBee Alliance
  5. Conclusions and Predictions