North Carolina Electric Membership Corp. (NCEMC; Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.) has selected Encore Networks (Dulles, Virginia, U.S.) to provide frame relay-based solutions for its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) networks. NCEMC will connect a new SCADA network using Encore's EtherFRAD^™ Integrated Access Device to transmit and monitor critical automated meter reading, usage and real-time billing information.

As is the case with most utility companies, NCEMC traditionally has monitored and gathered critical information from remote terminal units that send information over leased analog lines using the SCADA protocol. With the move towards digital methods of transport, the costs to maintain analog lines in networks using SCADA have increased. As a result, utility companies are seeking more cost-effective networking solutions that can accommodate SCADA, while keeping pace with the increasing flow of traffic and additional energy-management applications.

NCEMC provides electric energy and related services to cooperatives in North Carolina, serving 830,000 meters that reach more that 2.4 million people.
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