Siemens and SmartSynch will showcase wireless meters this week at AMRA
"The demand is growing for our end-to-end solutions that enable two-way communication with devices that previously only recorded data. We build B2A connections that make a real difference for businesses such as energy and utility companies and their customers," says SmartSynch CEO Mark Rodgers.
Utility industry officials from around the world will view demonstrations of the companies' automated meter reading technology, which has been newly enhanced with unique Power Quality and Reliability (PQ/R) features.
The Automated Meter Reading Association 2000 International Conference, a prominent industry trade event, is being held September 25-28 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla. A host of industry notables from utility executives to trade reporters will attend. SmartSynch and Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution developed the Spectrum Integrated Meter System (SIMS), a secure end-to-end monitoring, control and information management solution for commercial and industrial (C&I) metering applications.
Jan van Dokkum, president and CEO of Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, stated that Spectrum electronic modules effectively transform Siemens S4 meters into cost-efficient wireless, Internet protocol (IP) enabled communications devices. The modules are entirely enclosed "under glass" through innovative design work which dramatically simplifies network installation and reduces installation and operating costs.
A recent report by industry analysts at Banc of America Securities puts power quality breakdown losses in the US at 50 billion dollars in 1999 and projects 100 billion in the future. Last year's power quality losses for the US alone were about five times the amount spent on power quality worldwide.
"With SmartSynch's PQ/R AMR technology, energy and utility companies can automatically relay information about power outage, high/low voltage, momentary sags, voltage imbalance, etc., and the status of any resolution directly to their customers, technicians and customer service representatives," notes Tom Somers, vice president of sales and strategic marketing for SmartSynch.
Florida Power and Light, the first utility to employ SmartSynch's Power Quality/Reliability Smart Meters, will have two representatives speaking on the technology at the AMRA show on Wednesday September 27. Ed Brill of Florida Power and Light will discuss "Power Quality and Reliability Reporting" and Ed Malemezian of FPL's EDMpro.com Energy Data Management business will speak on "Smart Meters and Power Monitoring."
Edited by Stephen Heiser