Smart Energy

Look who's modular!

We introduced 2 entry-level meters for our grid systems this quarter, the MTR 0600 and 0630 to meet the unique needs of emerging residential markets, such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East where electricity usage is low and utility investment limited. Utilities can now begin by installing electric meters and later upgrade them with modular communication and control capabilities, thereby staggering their investment.

Asian meter manufacturers adopt our new CPM 0600 module

Introducing our Control Operating System (COS)-enabled module that - when coupled with our data concentrator and system software - enables electric meter manufacturers to offer a solution for automated metering and low-voltage grid optimization.

The new CPM 0600 control point module implements the Open Smart Grid Protocol (OSGP) and transforms electronic meters into smart meters plus grid sensors that leverage Echelon's open standard and a multi-application energy control networking platform.

Electric meter makers in Asia - including Thailand's Mitsubishi Electric Automation Co. Ltd., Korea's VIDCOM, Malaysia's Comintel and China's Holley Metering - will offer solutions based on Echelon's platform.

 

Take our daughters and sons to work day

Our children are the future leaders and decision-makers of the world.  Their success will be based largely on what we as parents, friends, and mentors teach them about their future roles as adults so we jumped at this opportunity to make some first impressions on these bright and inquiring minds. We formed a committee and planned a very fun "Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work" event for everyone involved.  

Designed to be more than a career day, the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work program goes beyond the average “shadow” an adult. Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, and providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future and begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and interactive environment is key to their achieving success.

We look forward to doing it again next year!!!

 

Micro Grids In India and South Africa

Smart micro grids are an ideal way to integrate local generation at the community level and allow for customer participation in the electricity enterprise. The Palm Meadows and Clearwater Mall deployments are great examples of how Echelon's commitment to leading the worldwide transformation of the electricity grid into an energy control network can foster market innovation. The concepts demonstrated in India and South Africa can be replicated worldwide to improve power reliability and to integrate energy efficiency solutions as well as renewable generation. 

Innovative Smart Grid Solutions in China

Echelon and Holley Metering Limited, a leading smart metering vendor in China, are forming a new joint venture company in China, Zhejiang Echelon-Holley Technology Co., Ltd. ("Echelon-Holley"), to focus on the development and sales of advanced smart metering products for China. Our new joint venture is positioned to bring the most innovative solutions in the world to bear on China's need to deliver and use energy more efficiently by leveraging both Silicon Valley and China-based ingenuity. 

Hosting the Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Echelon recently hosted two events for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group – One on March 15, which focused on the California Cap and Trade Program. Ron did an excellent job of summarizing what we do and the importance of Echelon in the marketplace. The second one was on March 23, which was the Silicon Valley Caucus meeting, sponsored by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. A sample of the day’s attendees included State Senator Elaine Alquist, State Senator Joe Simitian, State Assembly Member Jim Beall (representing Echelon’s district), State Assembly Member Paul Fong, State Assembly Member Jerry Hill, Varian Medical CEO Tim Guertin, Alsop Louie Partners Bill Coleman and Trimble Navigation CEO Steve Berglund and many more. They discussed plans and progress on critical issues such as transportation funding, higher education funding, regulatory streamlining and budget reform – all focused on making California competitive and sustainable while maintaining our great quality of life.

New Router 5000 ships

As buildings become smarter, there is an increasing need for automation systems to include a larger number and variety of building control devices. Introducing…the Router 5000 Module! This new product allows OEMs to offer routers that can be used to build scalable and survivable device networks that incorporate the appropriate physical media. The Router 5000 is part of the Echelon 5000 series product line that includes the FT 5000 Smart Transceiver and the Neuron® 5000 processor.

Brazil export green event

The U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service, City of San Jose, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco, BayBrazil, and the U.S.-Brazil Business Council presented “Export Opportunities in Brazil for California Green Companies.”

Brazil’s government policies for sustainable energy independence contribute dramatically to its growing economy. This event demonstrated the many resources available for California companies to do business in Brazil. Our VP of Business Development, Jeff Lund was one of the speakers at the event and shared his insight and our success with regards to our partnership with ELO.

Eliminating device credits for LonWorks-based building systems

Echelon's new OpenLNS Network Operating System is a royalty-free network operating system and environment for developing, deploying, and managing building automation and energy management systems. By being able to work with more devices and eliminating device credits, the entire LonWorks community of manufacturers and integrators can expand their addressable market and increase revenue. Manufacturers can develop applications faster with free tools, such as the new OpenLNS Application Developer’s Kit. Today, more than 300 plug-ins have been built for LNS® by the leading building automation system providers. Integrators can also add more value for their customers as OpenLNS supports more devices, such as all ISO/IEC 14908-1 compliant devices, routers and network interfaces. The elimination of credits puts the integrator and the building owner in charge and gives them the ability to add devices and applications per their convenience without incurring additional cost. OpenLNS beta software is available today and will be made generally available in 2H 2012.

ETSI approves OSGP for grid technologies

We applaud ESNA for continuing to execute their mission to build and expand smart grid interoperability standards for a smarter, more reliable grid.

ETSI, recognized by the European Union as a European Standards Organization for Information and Communications Technologies, has approved two specifications based on OSGP, the open smart grid protocol put forward by the ESNA industry group. This ETSI acceptance is a major achievement in OSGP being recognized as a European standard for smart metering/smart grid, which will help drive the development and deployment of open, interoperable smart grid technologies in Europe.