Switzerland-based ABB has been selected to deliver wireless network products and services to aid the deployment of smart meters across the City of Memphis, Tennessee, in the US.
The wireless network will support advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) communications, covering an area of about 2030 sq km and will gather information from about one million smart meters.
The smart meters will enable higher efficiency in the distribution and transmission of water, electricity and gas across the city with a potential to reduce supply loss and theft.
With the deployment of smart meters, grid can not only learn about energy consumption, but other factors such as power quality and outages and send the information back to the grid owner.
This process will help in creating a real-time monitoring of the energy distribution system and will support in the development of smart grid systems.
ABB Grid Automation business unit managing director Massimo Danieli said: "Our advanced wireless solution will support the deployment of smart metering infrastructure and enable more efficient distribution of electricity, water and gas to the citizens of Memphis.
"This is another example of how ABB is facilitating the increased automation of power networks to enable a smarter grid – a key element of our Next Level strategy."
ABB’s wireless networks are specifically designed for electrical distribution utilities. Earlier deployments of the company’s wireless networks for AMI backhaul include Silicon Valley Power, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities and Idaho Falls Power.
Apart from AMI, ABB’s wireless networks support multiple additional applications for distribution automation, substation automation, physical security and mobile workforce automation.
Image: ABB to provide wireless support services for smart meters in Memphis. Photo: Courtesy of mlgw.com/smartgrid.