GREENER, SAFER, SMARTER
Considerations in Building a
Smart Grid Communications
Network
John Eichhorn, CFO
November 2010
Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Background on Tropos
What’s a Smart Grid?
Smart Grid Communications Strategies
Smart Grid – A Network of Networks
Distribution Area Network Considerations
Multi-use Networks
Customer Highlights
Q&A
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 2
TROPOS
End-to-End Smart Grid
Wireless Mesh
Communications
Founded in 2000
Headquarters in
Sunnyvale, CA
Focus Areas:
- Security
- Reliability
- Resiliency
- Scalability
- Ease of use
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Partnerships
©©2010
2010
Tropos
Tropos
Networks,
Networks,
Inc.
Inc. | Page 3
3
PROVEN TECHNOLOGY
30 patents; additional
30 pending
+750 customers
30 countries
©©2010
2010
Tropos
Tropos
Networks,
Networks,
Inc.
Inc. | Page 4
4
Smart Grid: Enter Your Definition Here
Demand
Response
AMI
Renewable
Integration
SMART GRID
Field Data
Applications
Outage
Management
PHEV
Management
Distribution
Automation
Power Quality and
Planning
Distributed Intelligence, Automated Controls, Broadband Communications
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 5
Selecting a Communications Strategy
Traditional Approach
• Network per project
– Build/pay as you go
•
•
•
•
SCADA
AMI
Distribution Automation
Field data applications,…
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 6
Strategic Approach
• Layered communications
architecture
• Supports for current plus
future smart grid apps
Strategic Approach = Better Long-Term ROI
Extended
Utility Roles
Expected Value
Demand
Response
Distribution
Operations &
Automation
AMI
Source: AEP
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 7
Initial Capital Outlay
• Meter functionality
• Communications infrastructure
• Head-end & legacy systems
modifications
Incremental Capital Commitment
SmartGrid = Network of Networks
HAN
Neighborhood
Area Network
AMI
Network
Distribution
Area Network
Distribution
Area Network
Core Network
Utility Core
Systems
Demand
Response
PHEV Station
Power Quality
Sensors
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 8
Outage
Management
Distribution
Automation
Mobile
Applications
SmartGrid Considerations
Distribution Area Networks are challenging
Application
Latency
Bandwidth
(msec)
(kbps)
10's
100's
1000's
<56
<56
56
1000's
<56
100's
100's
100's
100's
100's
100's
10's
<56
56
<56
<56
<56
1000's
1000's
Reclosers
Capacitor Bank
RTU
Motor Operated
Disconnect
Line Regulator
Advanced Metering
IDR
Demand Mgmt
MWM Voice
MWM Data
Aggregate
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 9
Addt’l high traffic apps:
• Substation Video
• PHEV Station
• Mobile GIS
• AVL
…more in the future
SmartGrid Considerations
(cont.)
Own
Rent
• Capital expense
• Low capital, pay-as-you-go
• High reliability
• Less reliable
• Utility controlled - coverage,
capacity, priority, security
• Limited visibility, no control
over coverage, capacity,
priority, security
• Cost effective for multi-use
• Limited economies of scale
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 10
Opportunities for Greater Community Value
Efficient, on-time
public transport
Enhancing
education
Enhancing
revenue capture
and improving $
visitorRE
experience
Improving public
safety
Mobile data
access for
city workers
Timely
information for
city visitors
Conserving
resources/
reducing carbon
footprint
Reducing traffic
congestion and
carbon emissions
Building economic
development
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 11
Community-wide
mobile Internet
access
Funding Options
• Utility’s own budget
• Pooling multiple city departmental budgets
• Grants
– Smart Grid, public safety, traffic, …
• Bonds
• Performance-based contracts
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 12
Glendale Water and Power
Nation’s First ARRA Smart Grid Grant
Recipient
• ARRA Smart Grid award - $20M; total
project $51M
• Phase 1: smart meters - 85,000 power
and 33,400 water
• Wireless broadband network aggregates
communications for utility applications
• Additional smart grid applications:
distribution automation, thermal energy
storage, demand response
• Other city departments plan to leverage
network
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 13
Tropos Networks Inc. Company Confidential
Burbank Water & Power
Creating a Smart Grid to Manage
Demand and Minimize Capital Spending
• Smart meter (power and water)
• Power conservation through automated
demand response program
• Delaying construction of new power
generation
• Enables direct load management and
customer curtailment
• Mobile access to work orders and
real-time data
• Other city departments plan to leverage
network
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 14
Rock Hill Utilities
Single Cost-effective Network
for Multiple City Services
• AMR/AMI network projected payback,
7–8 years
• Customers can monitor power and water
usage encouraging conservation
• Utility workers have easy access
to information in the field, reducing repair times
• Mobile police and fire access information and
file reports improving efficiencies
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 15
United Arab Emirates
Efficient Management of Scarce
Resources Emirate-wide
• Wireless mesh network used to read 1.5
million power and water meters in urban,
suburban and rural areas
• Smart grid applications include AMI, realtime SCADA substation control,
distribution automation, street light
control, broadband connectivity for mobile
workers, substation video security
• Upon completion the network will cover
5,000+ square kilometers
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 16
Avista
Distribution Automation Project to
Reduce Outage Time
• $42 M Spokane Smart Circuits Project
includes $20M DOE grant funding;
communications ~15% of budget
• Project goal - faster pinpointing of faults
in distribution feeder lines to reduce
outage times
• Tropos network for 16 substations and
distribution automation (~450 DA devices)
• Opportunity to extend and leverage
network for AMI and Mobile Workforce
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 17
Multi-Use Networks
Improve Efficiencies
– Simplifies network management and control,
reduces redundant infrastructures
– Mobile workers have access to current
information – work orders, GIS data, …
– Improves workflow efficiency
Reduced Operating Costs
– Reduces OPEX
– Replaces costly recurring communications
costs: T-1 lines, cellular, …
Deliver Broad Community Benefit
– Utility applications - Smart Grid, Water, Gas
– Municipal departments – public safety,
transportation, ….
© 2010 Tropos Networks, Inc. | Page 18
Q&A
GREENER, SAFER, SMARTER
John Eichhorn, CFO
john.eichhorn@tropos.com
(408)331-6802
or
ir@tropos.com
November 2010