Improved meter management the next step in smart grid innovation

As more utility companies invest in smart grid solutions and the related technologies that allow smart meters to do their jobs, the industry continues to evolve. New technologies continue to improve the capabilities of these smart grids, and the growth of the market as a whole drives both provider and customer expectations for future improvements. According to GreenTechGrid, this is causing smart grids to explode in size, and as such, many providers see increased demands on their smart meter management capabilities.

Smart meters form the foundation of smart grid success. Without them, companies wouldn't have the access to key customer and power usage information they need to continuously improve operations. In addition to advancing power control and management efforts, smart meters also provide the support utilities need for adopting Internet of Things improvements. IoT allots key resources for management and growth that many firms now rely on, and without it these providers could suffer tremendously.

In order to continue supporting these resources and promote future improvements, companies have to consider the management of their smart grid infrastructure, as well as the hardware that supports it. Investing in improved cabling, terminal servers and the serial to Ethernet converters needed to facilitate increased bandwidth demands of smart meters, as well as the broadening reach of their infrastructure, allows providers to focus on growth seamlessly and avoid future conflicts with support and management needs.

The optimization of power distribution and cost aren't the only benefits provided by smart grid deployments. Many utility companies can see advancements in customer service, increased control during emergencies and other improvements that, without the proper hardware and management support for their smarter meters, cannot be achieved.

"The biggest challenge everyone has is integration - and we needed to make that problem go away, to get our tentacles into every system there was," Kevin Collins, and industry expert, told the news source.

By focusing efforts on the tools that ensure the connectivity and support of smart grid operations and future growth, firms can streamline their operations and ensure success over time, rather than immediate results. This will, in the end, promote the improvement of smart grid activities and support the future of the industry as a whole.

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.