The Tantalus system is designed to support demand response (DR) functionality, from tiered pricing to load shedding to in-home signalling. This enables a utility to offer customers freedom of choice. Data provided by the Tantalus system can also be used to determine the success of DR initiatives, Tantalus said.
Deployment of the TUNet network is scheduled to begin in spring 2010 with completion planned for late 2011. JCPB is simultaneously deploying a fiber-optic ring to connect the utility’s operations center and its 30 substations, which will also be able to provide high bandwidth backhaul for Tantalus’ smart grid applications.
Eric Murray, president and CEO of Tantalus, said: “Building an energy efficient community requires participation from both the utility and the people it serves. The Johnson City Power Board realizes that communications is central to the success of this effort. Investment in network infrastructure that scales as the utility’s needs grow, and which supports a wide range of smart grid functionality, gives the utility the freedom to adapt to ever-changing economic, environmental and customer service priorities.”
Seven Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) distributors have now deployed Tantalus technology. These range from rural cooperatives that provide energy to remote communities in rugged Appalachian mountain service areas, to standout municipal utilities like EPB Chattanooga and Pulaski Electric System that leverage wireless and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks for smart grid functionality.
