Illinois smart grid project back on track

"Thanks to the leadership demonstrated by the Illinois General Assembly, ComEd now can get the smart grid program back on track and work toward delivering on the full promise of this program to our customers," Pramaggiore told FierceSmartGrid. "We are starting immediately to accelerate smart meter installation and other work to improve reliability, provide new ways to save energy and money, and serve as a shot in the arm to our state's economy."

Smart grids and reliability
Terminal server architectures are integral to supporting reliability efforts through smart grid innovation. The ability to report outages depends heavily on being able to transmit data from substations to utility managers using Ethernet systems. However, most substations feature many serial-based technologies. Serial to Ethernet interconnectivity is vital in overcoming this protocol gap, and terminal servers can make this possible.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyberassets in substations. The IOLAN SDS HV/LDC Terminal Server is designed to meet harsh environments associated with Power Substations with attributes such as support for substation AC and DC voltage ranges, extended operating temperatures and meeting emission, immunity and safety approvals associated with substation IT equipment.