Smart grid rising across utility ecosystem

"Mid-size and large utilities dominated the list of those with the highest ratings in smart grid maturity, but there were also a few standouts with about 50,000 electric customers," Ritch told The Energy Collective.

Accelerating smart grid deployment
Dealing with interoperability issues is vital to streamlining smart grid implementation and developing a mature architecture. Serial to Ethernet terminal servers can help organizations accelerate grid deployment by easing connectivity challenges associated with getting serial-specific utility technologies to work well with Ethernet data networks. Ethernet is necessary as a cost-effective connectivity solution for data, but many utility endpoints use serial connections, making interoperability tools vital. As a result, a good terminal server solution can streamline smart grid deployment and support more mature smart grid systems.

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.