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Utility Smart Grid Solutions

Forward thinking electric utilities around the world are modernizing their distribution and customer demand management systems with Smart Grid solutions. AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure), delivering near real-time meter reading and control, is usually the starting point of such programmes that can be extended to additional applications such as distribution automation, operations and maintenance, and transmission management throughout the grid infrastructure. Such systems have been proven to deliver long-term value to the utility, the customer, and the environment. An open-standards based, broadband wireless IP network economically delivers the coverage, flexibility, and bandwidth that is the base requirement of all Smart Grid applications.

Smart Grid applications provide a broad range of benefits:

• Monitoring and controlling delivery of power down to the consumer in near real-time, improving efficiency and encouraging conservation.
  
  
• Continuous power quality monitoring, and active management of all distribution system elements.
  
  
• Outage identification and management.
  
  
• Improved planning and accommodation of infrastructure construction and maintenance schedules.
  
  
• Real time, in-field management of maintenance workers and inspectors.
  
  
• Carbon emissions management.
  
  
• "Customer portals" to increase customer usage awareness.
  
  
• Integration of alternative energy sources and co-generation programmes.
  
  
• Enhanced plant security.
  
  
• Leverage of existing communications investment such as substation fibre infrastructure