Ross Wilkers
Cisco is providing an electric utility a communications network for a pilot program aimed at implementing a new smart grid, the company said Tuesday.
National Grid, which provides power to 3.4 million Northeast customers, selected Cisco’s network to work with Itron’s smart grid system for the project, which Cisco said is scheduled to deploy in full by early 2013.
Lionel Chocron, vice president and general manager of Cisco’s connected energy networks business unit, said the company wants to help National Grid customers make decisions on energy use.
“We have been very pleased with the results of the early field trial,” said Cheri Warren, vice president of Asset Management for National Grid. “Our goal from the beginning has been to test and validate the smart grid solution before we fully deploy it to our customers.
“We look forward to working with Itron and Cisco on this next phase of implementing our Smart Grid Pilot Program.”
National Grid will use an Internet Protocol version 6 communication network based on Cisco’s GridBlocks architecture and Connected Grid routers products.
Cisco will also provide its grid network management system and third-party applications through Itron’s cloud computing environment.
Itron will provide the utility its meter data management applications, collection engine and reporting software.
