Avista Selects Joint Solution from Tropos and Itron

A Smart Grid solution developed by Tropos Networks (News - Alert) and Itron, Inc., has been selected by Avista Corp. as part of the $38 million Smart Grid Demonstration Project in the city of Pullman, Washington, and the nearby community of Albion, according to an announcement.

The use of smart technologies to automate part of the energy distribution system is the goal of the project. Apart from increasing system reliability, outage time will be also reduced, renewable energy sources will be incorporated, and customers will be also able to monitor their energy usage with more tools and information.

An advanced metering infrastructure or AMI, smart grid communications, and distribution automation or DA devices are being deployed by Avista to meet the project goals. As part of the project, Itron OpenWay meters were installed for Avista's 13,000 electric and 5,000 gas customers in May. Detailed energy usage data, outage detection and voltage monitoring will be provided by the meters. Software analytics to optimize distribution system reliability and efficiency in the area will be provided by Itron's meter data management solution.

OpenWay Integrated Cell Router and OpenWay 7320 wireless broadband router from Itron will be used for smart grid communications. Tropos' wireless broadband technology is used by both the routers. Smart meters and distribution automation devices will be connected by the network. Deployment and operations will be simplified through this cost-effective, reliable, and high-performance communications foundation.

In a release, Jim Corder, director of IT infrastructure at Avista said, "Avista is looking forward to implementation of the OpenWay-Tropos smart grid communications solution, which aims to bridge the two network technologies and reduce the number of devices we have to manage and support. We're expecting the network will meet or exceed all of our performance requirements for the initial smart grid applications."

Real-time communications will be extended by the Project to DA devices providing centralized monitoring and control. Avista will be therefore able to avoid or minimize power outages by taking quick action. DA devices requiring maintenance or replacement can be also identified by Avista.

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