Comverge Provides Nation's First ZigBee Enabled Demand Response System
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EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 19 /- Comverge, Inc. (NASDAQ:COMV), a leading clean capacity provider through demand response and energy efficiency, announced today that it has successfully launched the nation's first ZigBee(R) enabled demand response program as part of a pilot sponsored by the Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technologies (CCET). Using ZigBee enabled demand response thermostats (SuperStat(R)) and digital control units (DCUs), Comverge successfully executed load control operations from its hosted data center in Atlanta, GA to selected residents in Houston, TX. The CCET pilot is designed to integrate demand response systems with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology. The Houston pilot is being conducted across 500 homes within the CenterPoint Energy service territory and includes retail electric provider participation from Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, and Direct Energy.
The ZigBee enabled demand response system utilizes an AMI solution from Itron, integrated with Comverge's demand response technology. Itron's OpenWay(TM) CENTRON(R) smart meters, currently being tested in a limited deployment by CenterPoint Energy, communicate with Comverge's SuperStats and DCUs to control central air conditioning systems and other high-usage residential appliances such as electric water heaters and pool pumps. During times of high electricity usage Comverge demand response system can change thermostat settings by a few degrees or cycle off air conditioning systems for short periods of time by utilizing the AMI system as a 2-way communications infrastructure. The system will also enable more advanced options such as in- home displays, critical peak pricing programs, and other price responsive rate options.
"Integrating demand response with AMI allows utilities to better leverage their investment in AMI and provides significant benefits to utilities and their customers," said Edward J. Myszka, Comverge President & COO, Smart Grid Solutions Group. "While we have provided demand response technology to utilities for years, this is the first application using wireless ZigBee enabled technology. Comverge has always embraced new technology and we are excited about the future of this innovative communication platform. Our ZigBee enabled equipment will provide true two-way communications between a utility and their customers and will enable new products and service offerings even beyond demand response. We look forward to working together with CCET, Centerpoint and all of the retail energy providers to demonstrate the ability for demand response and advanced metering to help Texas meet their growing capacity needs."
Mr. Myszka continued, "Through our strategic partnership with AMI vendors such as Itron, Comverge again has demonstrated its ability to provide cutting-edge clean energy demand response solutions to utilities across the country, and we believe we will continue to be a leading provider of demand response solutions as major AMI initiatives are rolled out across North America using time of use and critical peak pricing models to achieve demand response."
About Comverge
Comverge is a leading provider of clean energy solutions that improve grid reliability and supply electric capacity on a more cost effective basis than conventional alternatives by reducing base load and peak load energy consumption. For more information, visit www.comverge.com. "SuperStat" is a registered trademark of Comverge, Inc.
About Itron
Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Itron Inc. consists of Itron in North America and Actaris outside of North America. Our company is the world's leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas and water meters; data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.
About ZigBee
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance membership comprises technology providers and manufacturers worldwide. Membership is open to all. Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org.
Web site: www.comverge.com/
http://www.itron.com/
http://www.zigbee.org/
