Solutions

Distribution Automation

With growing interest in the development of a "Smart Grid" by utility companies, Silver Spring Networks delivers a secure distribution automation solution. Silver Spring Networks has developed a standards-based, secure, ubitiquous network that enables multiple applications, including DA and AMI, to run on it. The true promise of Smart Grid will be realized with the convergence of these complementary, but traditionally separate solutions into one secure network, ultimately enabling automation of an entire distribution system.

Utilization of a common infrastructure for both AMI and DA applications allows the end customer to leverage TCO and reduce OpEx.  Silver Spring Networks offers the eBridge as a solution for DA /SCADA, Distributed Load Control (DLS.) Demand Response (DR,) Back Office Systems (BOS) and Distributed generation (DG.)

A unified Smart Grid network can provide reliable and secure support for Distribution Automation, SCADA, and other intelligent applications such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure. Silver Spring's Smart Energy Network meets the critical requirements of a network supporting SCADA: It's secure, fault-tolerant, high-availability, and compatible with industry-standard protocols. Leveraging a common network infrastructure significantly lowers both the capital and operational costs of implementing wide-scale DA. The Smart Energy Network also provides DA traffic prioritization, easy deployment and maintenance, and centralized network management.

Full Featured BOS supporting AMI and DA traffic

UtilityIQ provides the advanced, IP-based network that enables the Smart Grid and provides a foundation of pervasive networking throughout the service territory. Using service oriented architecture (SOA) it includes a variety of distributed storage and generation applications. Utilities can also rapidly integrate pre-existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) applications as well as CIS, MDM, OMS and Asset Management. UtilityIQ provides the complete approach to distribution automation:

  • Performance management, configuration management, accounting management, fault management and security management
  • Remote, real-time operation
  • Integrated data collection, continuous monitoring and proactive analysis
  • Alerts, advanced scheduling options and optimal capacity management
  • Securely manage all types of signals from intelligent remote terminal units to endpoint devices–whether outage related, peak pricing, connect/disconnect or load control

Silver Spring Networks provides the solutions that enable the Smart Grid and allow utilities to take advantage of a common infrastructure. By applying industry standard protocols in their distribution automation strategies, utilities can reduce technical and commercial losses, improve cash flow, lower electric service restoration time and reduce equipment damage for better reliability, continuity and infrastructure longevity.

Networking Platform

  • 900MHz FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) full 1Watt across all nodes
  • Fully supported back office system Utility IQ
  • Robust and resilient routing protocols
  • Full IPv6 support
  • Symmetric encryption algorithms AES-128, AES-192, AES-256

Supporting the DA applications

  • Full DNP3.0 support
  • TCP/IP support
  • Robust routing protocol to support SCADA polling
  • Multi vendor integration capable
  • Support tools for DA network management