Grid Net has launched its PolicyNet SmartGrid software suite composed of its SmartGrid Network Operating System, PolicyNet SmartGrid Network Management System, and PolicyNet SmartDevice Agents. The PolicyNet SmartGrid software provides utilities with an end-to-end, open standards-based, highly secure, distributed internetworking platform that enables advanced smart grid services to be efficiently deployed, managed, and controlled across millions of internetworked smart grid devices.

In addition, Grid Net announced its PolicyNet Reseller program with its first software reseller agreement with GE Energy, which is bundling PolicyNet with its WiMAX SmartMeter and SmartGrid Router products (based on hardware product reference designs licensed from Grid Net).

SP AusNet, one of Australia's largest publicly-listed energy delivery businesses, servicing more than one million customers, is the first utility to select Grid Net’s PolicyNet SmartGrid software platform as the cornerstone of its AMI implementation.  

Centralized Smart Grid Management / Distributed Device Intelligence

The PolicyNet SmartGrid software enables utilities to centrally define enterprise policies (business rules, conditions, and actions) that deliver advanced smart grid services, and to securely deploy these policies for local enforcement on millions of semi-autonomous, networked smart grid devices – endowing a highly distributed, scalable, interactive, secure network of electric power transmission and distribution devices (including smart meters) with the intelligence and control capabilities necessary to deliver advanced smart grid services. Using PolicyNet, utilities can interconnect, manage and control networked Smart Grid devices (e.g., meters, capacitor bank controllers, fault monitors and reclosers, switches, voltage regulators), and enable their other operational and business support systems with an online, real-time, stateful view of the entire Smart Grid network. PolicyNet is currently available bundled with the GE WiMAX SmartMeter and SmartGrid Router family of products, which operate on the IEEE 802.16.e WiMAX wireless broadband communications platform. .

Open Standards for Smart Grid Interoperability and Ongoing Innovation

The PolicyNet SmartGrid software suite integrates easily with other utility enterprise systems via open standards-based interfaces, reducing systems integration complexity, cost, and time to deployment. PolicyNet’s extensible plug-in layer architecture provides a common service interface for smart metering, demand response, and other smart grid services, while enabling the deployment and management of these services across heterogeneous smart grid networks. PolicyNet’s core policy server engine is based upon the IETF Common Open Policy Service (COPS) and leading utility and advanced networking standards. PolicyNet’s open architecture ensures that utilities benefit from ongoing technology innovations, avoid proprietary vendor “lock-in,” and take advantage of best-of-breed smart grid solutions that ensure the lowest possible operating costs in both the short- and long-term.