Avista Selects Tropos GridCom Network for Spokane Smart Grid Project
SUNNYVALE, CALIF. — April 6, 2010 —Tropos Networks (www.tropos.com), the leading provider of
IP broadband mesh networks, announced today that Avista, an investor owned utility serving over
356,000 electric and 316,000 gas customers across 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington,
northern Idaho and Oregon, has selected Tropos’ GridCom™ for its Smart Grid distribution area
communications network. The network is part of Avista’s Smart Circuits Project planned for the
Spokane service area that will reduce energy losses, lower system costs, increase reliability, enhance
the ability to integrate distributed renewable generation resources, provide energy savings of 42,000
MWh per year, and reduce carbon emissions by an impressive 14,400 tons annually.
The implementation of Tropos’ GridCom mesh network will deliver 24x7, real time communications
between substation controllers and grid devices such as reclosers, switches and faulted circuit
indicators. Avista will be able to quickly pinpoint faults in its distribution network, significantly
improving system reliability. Fault location and isolation in distribution feeder lines has always been
problematic and time consuming – often resulting in extended outage times. The GridCom distribution
area network enables distribution automation devices to report the location of faults and gives the
utility the ability to dispatch line crews to the site faster.
Avista chose Tropos’ GridCom wireless distribution area network based upon its open standardsbased, scalable architecture; its multi-layer security (including FIPS 140-2 and NERC CIP); its
unprecedented reliability; and its robust centralized management. GridCom provides Avista with a
foundation to add additional smart grid applications, such as AMI, demand response, distributed
generation, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and other smart grid applications in the future.
―This project represents an important step towards the future of energy delivery,‖ said Jim Corder,
director of IT infrastructure. ―Tropos is a very good fit for outdoor applications, has a strong install
base, and their reliability/availability design will ensure a high-capacity wireless communications
foundation.‖
―We are pleased to have been selected as the distribution area communications foundation for
Avista’s smart grid communications,‖ said Tom Ayers, president and CEO of Tropos. ―We look
forward to the rollout and helping Avista build an intelligent network that supports a wide range of
smart grid applications with the resiliency needed for utilities’ mission critical communications.‖
Avista’s Spokane Smart Circuits Project was chosen by the Department of Energy to receive the
largest matching grant in Washington State, totaling $20 million. Avista will contribute $22 million for
a total planned project investment of $42 million. The overall project includes the deployment of a
distribution management system, intelligent end devices and a communications network along 59
distribution circuits and 14 substations, which will benefit more than 110,000 electric customers
About Tropos
Tropos® Networks is the worldwide market leader in IP broadband mesh networks. Its solutions
create greener, safer, smarter communications foundations for deployment of high-value applications
that increase efficiencies and reduce operational costs within communities. Greener – smart grids
and intelligent transportation systems. Safer – mobile public safety communications and IP video
surveillance. Smarter – enabling mobile workers to access information from the field. Tropos delivers
the highest levels of reliability, scalability, performance, security, and control in the industry with more
than 750 customers in over 30 countries. Founded in 2000, Tropos Networks is headquartered in
Sunnyvale, California. For more information, please call 408-331-6800 or email info@tropos.com.
Media Contact
Denise Barton
Tropos Networks
denise.barton@tropos.com
(408)470-7397