silverlink

Silver Spring Networks Unveils New Sensor Network

Feb. 12, 2014
Silver Spring Networks, Inc. has announced the SilverLink Sensor Network, a new approach to organizing, programming, and using any data from any sensor network to fuel any application at up to 10x the speed and 1/10th the cost of traditional utility IT infrastructure.

Silver Spring Networks, Inc. has announced the SilverLink Sensor Network, a new approach to organizing, programming, and using any data from any sensor network to fuel any application at up to 10x the speed and 1/10th the cost of traditional utility IT infrastructure.  The SilverLink Sensor Network enables utilities and other network operators to connect real-time data to business processes to make smarter and faster business decisions, lower IT costs, create a more agile organization, and more quickly and cost-effectively launch new business models and services.  Able to leverage both Silver Spring and non-Silver Spring networks, specific examples of the SilverLink Sensor Network in action include real-time voltage assessment, load disaggregation, remote temperature monitoring of grid devices, and empowering advanced customer engagement programs that reach across utility silos via a common platform.

“Our lives are more connected than ever – billions of devices are coming online, producing staggering data volumes. Utility CEOs often tell me that more than 70% of their total enterprise data is already coming from their Smart Grid networks alone. Old, model-based approaches and IT architectures simply can’t keep up with the needs of this real-time, continuously connected world,” said Scott Lang, chairman, president and CEO of Silver Spring Networks. “The SilverLink Sensor Network changes the game – we are applying our deep understanding of large-scale networks to real-time big data. We’re enabling utilities to develop even deeper connections with their customers, offer innovative new services, and better manage their grid assets and operations.” “Several years ago OG&E embarked on a transformational journey with Silver Spring.  We knew that by creating a continuous connection with our customers, our grid assets, and the data running across our network, we would be able to deliver more reliable service to our customers and lower our economic and carbon footprints,” said Pete Delaney, Oklahoma Gas & Electric. “I’m proud to say OG&E’s Positive Energy Smart Grid program has now been widely embraced by our customers.”

Unlocking Smart Grid Big-Data for the Continuously Connected Utility
Utilities today are looking to their existing networks to unlock more value, help transform their relationship with their customers, and quickly and cost effectively develop and deliver new services.  Third-party software companies are also seeking a platform upon which they can utilize network data to roll out new energy applications for both utilities and end-consumers.

Silver Spring is leveraging the distributed intelligence, proven scale, and award-winning deployments with leaders such as OG&E to deliver one of the industry’s first software defined sensor networks. The SilverLink Sensor Network connects network infrastructure, other AMI infrastructure and back-office data sources to virtualize endpoint devices and make sensor data subscribe-able and accessible via common Internet standards.  This approach radically cuts the cost to organize and program sensors to use diverse real-time data to create breakthrough business applications at up to 10x the speed and 1/10th the cost of traditional utility IT infrastructure – making it far easier, less risky and faster to implement the applications that unlock the promise of the Smart Grid.  
 

The SilverLink Sensor Network will be available as a cloud-based subscription service.  Silver Spring is already working with several of its customers to leverage the SilverLink Sensor Network for innovative new services such as:

  • Load Disaggregation and Deep Energy Audits
  • Real-Time Voltage Assessment
  • Remote Temperature Monitoring
  • Improved Revenue Assurance and Non-Technical Loss Analysis
  • Customer Segmentation and Opt-In for Price Programs
  • Advanced Customer Engagement Programs

The SilverLink Sensor Network will make vast quantities of previously unavailable data easy for third-party applications to access and utilize, powering a myriad of new applications and services.  Silver Spring plans to make a wide array of new applications readily available to utilities, sensor network operators, and consumers through a SilverLink App Store.  The SilverLink App Store will initially include existing SilverLink applications such as SilverLink Console, SilverLink MeterOps, and SilverLink Network Ops.

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