Trilliant has been selected by National Grid to deploy its Smart Grid Communications Platform for Volt/VAR Optimization. The project will help deliver energy efficiency benefits to National Grid's customers in Rhode Island.
This initial phase will support a demonstration of Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO) in the state of Rhode Island. The Trilliant Platform will provide wireless Field Area Network connectivity between field devices and National Grid's network. National Grid views the communication platform as a single integrated function enabled by different service layers and different technologies. The Field Area Network (FAN) functionality requires that the technologies utilized be tightly integrated. Trilliant's Multi-Tier Smart Grid Communications Platform has the ability to support the full spectrum of applications cost effectively by leveraging the network tier best aligned with the performance and economic considerations of each application.
"We ultimately chose Trilliant's wireless communications technology because of its performance value-proposition to provide the foundation for VVO, which is part of National Grid's strategy to continue to provide our customers with safe, reliable and affordable service," said Rob Sheridan, Director, Utility of the Future for National Grid. "Our customers will benefit in tangible ways from this future-proof solution, which will provide value to our customers through energy savings."
Trilliant's Smart Grid Communications Platform allows utilities a more economical way of establishing the smart bedrock needed to deploy other applications in the future, should the need arise.
"An important aspect to grid modernization is choosing the right network which offers flexibility for future applications – from fault detection, isolation and restoration to innovative demand-side management initiatives," said Mike Mortimer, SVP of Global Sales for Trilliant. "This project highlights the tangible ways that the right communications platform can help our utility customers realize the benefits of energy management from a variety of entry points. By choosing the platform, utilities gain the flexibility to choose how best they would like to start modernizing the grid."
The Trilliant Smart Grid Communications Platform will provide National Grid the necessary reliability, high bandwidth and low latency for Volt/VAR control and system awareness today. The Trilliant Communications Platform is also a multi-purpose network, which in the future, can be seamlessly integrated with a neighborhood- or home-area network capabilities, as well as provide the foundation for advanced fault detection, Fault Isolation and Restoration (FDIR) and other real time DA initiatives. The Trilliant Platform allows utilities to manage all applications on one powerful network.
