Today’s smarter grid can think for itself. It uses millions of advanced devices to make billions of decisions every second — much too fast for a mere mortal to manage. In fact, it is evolving into a network that rivals the complexity and requires the degree of machine-to-machine coordination of the Internet.

To provide a simple, end-to-end solution, San Francisco-based Grid Net is offering the next generation of its Machine-to-Machine Network Operating System (or Grid Net Platform, for short), which will securely manage advanced devices and applications on broadband networks. Grid Net-enabled devices communicate quickly, dependably, and efficiently, both to the back office and neighbor devices.

Above, Grid Net Platform architecture

Up until recently, most advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and demand response (DR) applications have been proprietary, stand-alone implementations, making them expensive to integrate into the back office and even more difficult to coordinate in the field. In addition, security has almost always been an afterthought. This approach has been ill-prepared and insufficient to meet the demands of an always-on smarter grid.

In contrast, with the leading-edge Grid Net Platform, not only do multiple applications work in concert on each device; they also work in unison across the entire grid.

The next-generation Machine-to-Machine Network Operating System has been purpose-built to enable utilities to holistically deploy and manage a suite of advanced grid applications, such as Grid Net’s own Advanced Metering (AMI), Demand Response Load Control (DRLC), Distribution Monitoring & Control (DM&C), and Premise Area Networking (PAN). This is the promise of the smarter grid, and only Grid Net delivers it today.

“The Grid Net Machine-to-Machine Network Operating System [takes] advantage of the three biggest trends reshaping our industry today: the move to leverage cellular data networks, the push to deploy more and higher-value applications, and the need to do flexible deployments that show immediate returns and deliver lasting value,” said Chairman and CEO of Grid Net John W. Combs. “We started building our Platform for IP-based broadband networks five years ago, have proven our technology with aggressive customer deployments, and are poised to lead the next phase of smarter grid deployments.”

Cellular data networks — ubiquitous, reliable, and highly-capable — are the ideal communications infrastructure for the distribution grid. Grid Net’s efficient and optimized use of network resources ensures that communications costs are only pennies per-device, per-month. Security and data privacy are core strengths of the Grid Net Platform, and are preserved at all times on both public and private networks.

The advantages of the Grid Net Platform facilitate:

• Flexible deployments: Grid Net’s use of cellular data networks means that both devices and applications can be deployed whenever and wherever they add value. Users see significant returns without a full mesh deployment.
• Fast implementation:There’s no need to build a stand-alone network infrastructure. Plug in a Grid Net-enabled device and it begins transmitting valuable information immediately.
• Broadband communications: Mesh-based systems are the equivalent of AOL (News - Alert) dialup in an always-on broadband world. Cellular data plans are comparable to cost of mesh now, but with 10 times the performance and capabilities.
• Intelligence on every device: Grid Net-enabled devices have high-speed network connections, ample memory and processing power, and intelligent software that enables them to make and communicate decisions in real-time.
• Live streaming information: Utilities are able to stream real-time power quality measurements to their back office systems and consumption readings to customers in their homes.
• Application-based focus: Grid Net extends the life of legacy back office systems, delivers immediate value when deploying today’s grid applications, and is built for future high-bandwidth, low-latency applications.
• Centrally managed, highly distributed architecture: Devices behave according to the rules utilities define, and automatically report when planned or unplanned changes alter their state.
• Strict security throughout: Security can’t be an afterthought or bolted-on at the end. Grid Net designed the most comprehensive security implementation and then had it built-in from day one. Peace of mind comes standard.

 “The Grid Net Platform, coupled with one or more Grid Net applications, provides the shortest path to success and the quickest return on investment,” said Combs. “Nothing else even comes close.”