NEW YORK – June 10, 2009 – More than thirty utility representatives went to Elk River, Minnesota yesterday to listen, learn, and discuss smart grid initiatives with utility colleagues using innovative communications technology initiated by Great River Energy and provided by Arcadian Networks, Inc.
Regional electric utility leaders were energized by new ideas, national and local policy discussions, and more. Robert Burchard of Arcadian Networks offered a glimpse into the process behind Minnesota’s smart grid leadership. His “SMART Communications Roadmap” outlined steps to deploying smart grid enabling communications on a 700 MHz private wireless IP network.
“It’s exciting to see the technology’s ripple effect on regional electric utility communications -- and beyond,” noted Arcadian Networks’ CEO Ed Solar. “The network first proved its effectiveness for Great River Energy, then went on to empower more than a dozen Minnesota co-ops to build out their own customized two-way communications for AMI, SCADA, and other applications. While many are talking about smart grids, Minnesota is actually doing them.”
Summit attendees from both cooperatives and investor owned utilities heard case studies detailing smart grid enabling technologies currently active at Minnesota co-operatives:
- IT Manager Linda LaTourelle of East Central Energy shared a case study on “Wireless Substation Communication.”
- Connexus Energy’s System Engineer Ed Budde discussed “Implementing 700 MHz Spectrum.”
- Ryan Hentges, Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative’s vice president for corporate services, shared how he leveraged broadband IP connectivity in support of two-way AMI for members.
- Don McDonnell, head of a smart grid focused research and marketing agency, spoke on trends in utility investment and government regulation.
- The event concluded with a tour of the GRE network site, where attendees could observe an active deployment of a smart grid communications network.
About Arcadian Networks
Arcadian Networks designs and delivers wireless broadband communication systems to the energy sector. The real-time, two-way communication networks provide the backbone of all “smart” energy solutions – delivering operating efficiencies, interoperability and security. Designed specifically for utility, oil and gas, and renewable energy industries, the IP converged networks are based on private, secured 700 MHz spectrum. Customized services range from blueprint to network deployment, systems integration, through customer service. For more information, please visit: www.arcadiannetworks.com.