Landis+Gyr is expanding distributed intelligence capabilities on the grid with an advancement in adaptability and processing power for the network connecting the Gridstream suite of AMI, Distribution Intelligence and Customer Intelligence solutions.
Landis+Gyr is introducing a grid router built on an open-platform Linux operating system that acts as a grid-edge server in the field capable of routing and processing data, as well as executing applications from multiple utility and smart community networks simultaneously.
“Our two decades of experience with distributed intelligence dates back to the first intelligent radios used for distribution automation. The Gridstream suite of solutions applies this proven capability to a standards-based, open architecture utility network for grid management,” said Steven Schamber, vice president of AMI Solutions at Landis+Gyr. “As part of this network, the new grid router expands these capabilities by bringing connectivity to other related networks and devices in a way that serves the broader energy management goals of utilities and the communities they serve.”
Landis+Gyr’s grid router is a high capacity network device capable of bridging secondary field networks. It provides high-speed connectivity to grid equipment that requires sub-second responsiveness and can also act as a data aggregator with direct connection to utility head-end systems.
The ability to extend decision-making power at the edge of the grid improves reliability and efficiency, while enabling new benefits from smart grid technology. Hundreds of applications have been written to support over 50 types of intelligent devices operating on Landis+Gyr networks. These applications range from automated event monitoring and reporting in distribution devices to information sharing between load management devices, meters and consumer devices.
New applications that support distributed energy resource management, such as smart inverters, are allowing utilities to better manage these resources because protocol conversions and decisions are handled by intelligent radios in the devices.
“The business case for distributed intelligence is being validated every day, and with the expanded capabilities of the grid router, the possibilities for improving performance of critical tasks are unlimited,” Schamber said. “The growing intranet of the grid is well positioned to support the transition to more efficient and diverse energy future.”
