HomePlug GP is a low power powerline networking specification targeting smart grid applications such as HVAC, smart meters, home appliances and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. HomePlug GP has been developed with direct input from utility companies like Consumers Energy, Duke Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison to help optimize the specification for real world deployments.
Rob Ranck, president of HomePlug Powerline Alliance, said: “The smart grid continues to be a major focus for the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, with HomePlug’s GP specification at the center of our smart grid efforts.
“HomePlug is developing the GP spec based upon performance and interoperability requirements from the utilities and appliance manufacturers for smart grid deployment. Furthermore, HomePlug GP is a slimmed down, lower data rate version of HomePlug AV, which makes it easier for multiple silicon suppliers to produce GP chips quickly. The requirement for backwards interoperability means that prototypes and early implementations can be deployed now using available HomePlug AV chips.”
HomePlug GP is developed as a profile of the IEEE 1901 powerline communications standard and will be included in HomePlug’s Compliance and Interoperability Certification Logo programme.
