However, there was one word missing, which should have been on everyone’s lips:  Customer.  Not one of the utilities from the region mentioned their customers, and how they would benefit from improved technology.  No-one seemed aware of issues around data privacy and consumer engagement.  Utilities from other parts of Europe – Germany, the Netherlands quite rightly put their customers and the security of their data at the top of the list of priorities when deploying a smart energy network, but this angle was completely missing from the strategies of the CEE utilities.  Quite how customers are meant to benefit from all the new energy technology coming down the line just wasn’t discussed.  In fact, some of the utilities were plain hostile to new technologies such as micro-generation and renewables – they see them as messing with their well-managed grid.

We’ve already seen smart meter deployments run into issues around data privacy and customer consent in Europe, America and Asia, so its an issue that’s out there and waiting to be uncovered.  I think a lot of the issue comes firstly from the market structure;  with the ex-state DSOs being responsible for metering, their background is hardly customer focused, and this attitude filters through.  Secondly, a certain naivety about the way the market is moving for energy – upward prices are only going to increase the demands from customers for ways to reduce their own costs.

This is all not to say that smart metering won’t happen in Central & Eastern Europe – it will.  Some countries are moving faster than others, and some utilites are actively investigating all the options – but all are driven by the same EU legislative environment.  As the technology becomes more widespread, so even the most distant utility will be forced to concede that the customer needs to be connected more dynamically to the grid.

NY

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Central and Eastern European smart grid projects are progressing, but the customer is not a part of it. was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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The 21st Century Energy Transformation will be an Evolution, not a Revolution was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

On Tuesday, May 8, Conant will provide opening remarks at a meter design session titled, “Developing Next Generation Meter.” Also on Tuesday, Spear will host a technology showcase, “Smart Grid Communications Networks: Maximizing the Value.” The presentation will focus on the key considerations for smart grid communications networks to ensure the maximum value can be realized, today and in the future.

On Wednesday, May 9, Conant will speak about the best practices in deploying mesh and cellular communications technology to utilities in the U.S., Canada and U.K, and cite examples from Trilliant’s customer deployments throughout the globe. Afterward, Trilliant will host a knowledge sharing session about communications technology considerations based on various utility’s business needs and regulatory structures, where delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about this topic in depth.

Conference attendees can visit and learn more about Trilliant at stand #3.7.

What: Metering Billing/CRM Asia

Session: Track 3: Session 5: Developing Next Generation Meter

Who: Rob Conant, Chief Marketing Officer, Trilliant

When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 13:55 IndoChina Time

Where: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

What: Metering Billing/CRM Asia

Session: Technology Showcase – Smart Grid Communications Networks: Maximizing the Value

Who: Bryan Spear, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Trilliant

When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 12:30 IndoChina Time

Where: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

What: Metering Billing/CRM Asia

Session: Track 3: Session 11 – Best practices in deploying mesh and cellular communications technology to utilities in U.S., Canada and U.K.

Who: Rob Conant, Chief Marketing Officer, Trilliant

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 9:20 IndoChina Time

Where: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

What: Metering Billing/CRM Asia

Session: Session 14: Table 1 – Knowledge Sharing; Communications technology considerations based on various utility’s business needs and regulatory structures

Who: Hosted by Trilliant

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 11:00 IndoChina Time

Where: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

For more information, visit: http://www.metering-asia.com/

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Trilliant Educates Audience on Best Practices in Deploying Broad Smart Grid Communications Technology at Metering Asia 2012 was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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The Thinker: Seizing Smart Grids (Jakarta Globe)

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I have been doing some marketing work with one of our energy supplier customers here in the UK, and they have been explaining to me their plans for marketing smart meters to their customer base, to ensure wide adoption and acceptance.  It revolves around community champions and drip feeding positive stories out to local bodies and groups that can influence their local community.

This makes a lot of sense.  The upcoming smart meter rollout will take around 7 or 8 years to complete across the nation.  Every home will be visited, and every energy user and bill payer will have new tools at their disposal for managing their energy use.   To get these people excited about having a smart meter, without having to tell them they are at the bottom of an 8 year queue is a challenge that the energy suppliers have yet to embrace.  There seems to be a widespread assumption that smart meter marketing will be in a similar vein to the digital TV switchover.  However, this was a campaign run on a region-by-region basis, to consumers who were obligated to update their own equipment at a time that suited them.  This is the complete opposite of the smart meter rollout, which will have a national focus, and is aimed at people not empowered to upgrade to a smart meter whenever they want.

So the question is, how do you engage consumers in being positive about a smart meter, without running a massive 8 year, national campaign which, as well as being extortionately expensive, would be talking to an irrelevant audience for much of that time.  Some thoughts below:

1. Local focus – By focusing on specific areas and rolling out smart meters, ideally on a street-by-street basis, the smart meter supplier can run a highly targeted, even personal marketing campaign to ensure meter acceptance.  Knowing that everyone you are targeting is going to get a meter in the next few weeks allows much more dynamic messaging and social interaction – competitions, use of local influencers and fosters a community spirit that means the laggards want to keep up with the Joneses.
2. Early Adopter Segmentation – Smart Meters are a new technology in the home.  When rolling out a new technology, the tried and trusted route of finding early adopters who actively want the smart meter, and can evangelise about the benefits is a sensible way to proceed.  The rollout then follows the path of least resistance, with people hearing about and discovering the benefits of smart meters for themselves, leading to mass market adoption.  To roll out smart meters as part of a standard meter replacement programme does not fit with this model – cynics and laggards will be getting the smart meter at the same time as some early adopters, meaning that the messages to market are completely mixed, making it harder to succeed.
3. Institutional support – Smart Meters offer significant benefit to those in fuel poverty and with other social issues, by allowing them a greater level of control and choice over how they use their energy and pay their bills.  By introducing smart meters to this sector early in the rollout, any negative perception around the smart meter service can be dissipated and allow the rollout to proceed nationally with credentials and benefit obvious to the wider market.  This also allows the engagement of local councils and other local bodies who can promote the benefits of smart meters within their own communities.
4. Learning Support – By introducing the concept of energy saving as a matter of course, whether it is through teaching in schools or wider educational programmes for the adult population, the wait for a smart meter will have a softer impact for those that are at the end of the waiting list. They can start using hints and tips to start saving energy and thus money without a smart meter.  When the smart meter does arrive, the behavioural changes can be validated by the customer in their home.  This can also be validated by friends and family who have a smart meter and are able to offer their learnings to those that do not.

Whatever the eventual marketing campaign for the smart meter rollout looks like, it needs to ensure that it does not alienate the large portion of the population who will be a long way from receiving a smart meter, and the cost savings that they bring.

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Challenges of marketing the smart meter rollout in the UK was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 26, 2012 – Trilliant, a global smart grid communications leader in delivering solutions that enhance energy efficiency, utility operations, and renewable resource integration, will participate at the 2012 Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. Rob Conant, Chief Marketing Officer, will speak on how Trilliant and other leading companies are collaborating to help utility customers capture, analyze and act on energy consumption data.

What: 2012 Cleantech Forum

Who: Rob Conant, Chief Marketing Officer, Trilliant

When: Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 1 – 2 pm

The Power of Working Together: Unlocking Value from Energy Consumption Data from Both Sides of the Meter

Where: Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, CA

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Campbell

(404) 908-1159

pr@trilliantinc.com

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Trilliant Executive Speaks about Collaboration in Unlocking Value from Energy Consumption Data at the 2012 Cleantech Forum was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

This honor is awarded to San Mateo county companies that most exhibit innovation as a core company value. Trilliant, taking first place in the “green” category, was chosen because of the company’s commitment to making smart grid implementation more accessible for every energy user, and for the company’s ongoing mission of increasing the efficiency of energy use throughout California and around the world.

“The SAMCEDA Awards of Excellence are about honoring companies who showcase innovation – a core value of both San Mateo county and Silicon Valley,” said Rosanne Foust, president and CEO, SAMCEDA. “Trilliant has been at the forefront of smart grid technology, and we are excited to see the growth they will spur in this field for years to come.”

“Innovation is a best practice at Trilliant,” said Andy White, CEO of Trilliant, “and we believe that innovations in smart grid communications will lead to greener, more sustainable, more economical and more reliable energy systems worldwide. We’re honored to receive this award from the work we’ve done at Trilliant, and encouraged by the continued support of San Mateo county and Silicon Valley to further this important mission.”

The awards will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Oracle Conference Center in Redwood City.

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Trilliant Receives 2012 Green Innovator Award of Excellence was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

The event demonstrated that the UK market has genuinely moved from ideas and specifications to technical and commercial reality.  Any doubts raised in the past have been firmly blown away – the technology that forms the basis of smart metering in UK homes works, and from this point on will develop, grow and evolve with the market.

The UK market is seeing significant activity – British Gas are rolling out smart meters to millions of homes, and the other energy retailers are following closely behind.

However, the market still has some way to go before we can claim that the technology is ready for plug and play and horizontal adoption in the home.  Zigbee SEP 1.1 allows interoperability to be taken to heart by the wide variety of vendors in the market.  But there are some steps needed to ensure that a HAN rollout is a pain free experience for consumers and energy retailers alike.  The good thing about the Zigbee specification is that it recognises this and will continue to evolve.

• Ecosystem development – there are still only a relatively few number of in-home vendors in the market.  For the Zigbee HAN to truly be ubiquitous, there needs to be commitment from other service providers who would benefit from the use of the HAN.  In the energy world, further meter providers and energy service providers need to bring their products into the Zigbee fold.  Outside of the energy world, appliance manufacturers and other in-home service providers such as security and healthcare need to take advantage and build interoperable in-home products that allow new revenue models and value to be built for the homeowner.
• Channels to market – currently the energy retailers are providing the only channel to market for HAN technology in the home, via the smart meter rollout.  However, its not difficult to foresee that the HAN does not have to be tied to energy services in the future, and can be driven by any service provider willing to provide the technology.  with enough service providers and benefits on board, it is likely that the consumer themselves will want to invest in a Zigbee HAN, rather than waiting for the smart meter rollout to reach them.
• Cost Reduction – Of course, HAN technologies follow the technology adoption curve, just like any other technology.  Today we are at the beginning of that curve, and so the required components are expensive to procure, and the skills needed to integrate them sparse on the ground.  However, as the market progresses, cost of these components will come down, meaning that ubiquitous HAN components will be available in volume.
• Genuine plug and play – Most consumers want equipment they buy to just work.  HAN technology is still some way from that ideal, with consumer equipment tied to individual providers and required a complex setup in some cases.   This is largely to ensure that an element of control is maintained, and that security processes are not breached.  However, for the consumer to buy-in extensively to HAN services, the components will need to ‘just work’ out of the box.  This is a challenge that is not insurmountable, but keeping the network secure and available requires a large amount of effort to ensure HAN specifications are allowed to evolve and meet the needs of consumers over time
• Merger of HAN profiles.  Today, there are several different profiles for Zigbee HAN profiles – energy, home automation, healthcare etc.  This model works right now as it allows each community to focus on what they need in order to offer a service.   However, in the future there is likely to be significant overlap between many of these profiles, and so the creation of a central core to which any vertical service can apply itself is a sensible way to proceed and allow single HAN systems to be widely deployed.

Today, the market for HAN has taken a significant step forwards in the UK.  But to ensure that product is fit for consumer use, there are still a number of hurdles to get over.  However, the industry has demonstrated that it is willing to work together through standards bodies such as the SSWG and the Zigbee alliance to create a single ecosystem appropriate for rollout to every UK home.  And by working together, we will be able to continue the turning of ideas into the reality of a rich in-home experience for all.

NY

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The UK market has moved from ideas to reality was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

Therefore, a full training programme for installation engineers needs to be put in place before a smart meter rollout can commence.   This is a tricky balance to get right.  Do utilities train an engineer in multiple tasks, put more engineers in a single van, or make multiple appointments at the same premises to complete all the necessary work?  The answer depends on several factors.  Some utilities put the needs of the installation engineers above all other requirements – the engineer is trained to do a single task, and not deviate from that process.  However, allowing the installation engineer some flexibility on site means that the utility can be flexible in the technology options they adopt.  For example, if installation is in an area of no communications coverage, then empowering the engineer to move the install site or use an alternative technology means a better customer experience and a lower install cost due to less return visits.  Conversely, the ability to put multiple skills in the same van is difficult to co-ordinate and may mean that a simple, scripted installation process by one engineer with no flexibility is easier to achieve.

Ultimately, for the majority of time that an engineer is on a customer premises, they will have their head in the hole where the meters lie.  However, this doesn’t change the fact that the first interaction that a homeowner is likely to have with their new smart meter is via the installation engineer, so they need to not just be qualified, but a customer facing resource as well.  Small things can make a big difference to the homeowner – arriving on time, being able to answer any questions or concerns on site and cleaning up after installation all go a long way to ensuring the customer is happy with their smart meter, and through association, their energy provider.

In short, smart meter installation engineers are the face of the deployment programme – they are who the customer interacts with, and a source of immediate knowledge on cutting energy consumption.  These engineers need to be selected and trained carefully, as the success of a rollout could hinge on the first impression they give.

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Some Considerations for Smart Meter Installations was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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What: 2012 MIT Energy Conference

Who: Sonita Lontoh, head of corporate marketing, Trilliant

When: Friday, March 16, 2012

Workshop: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Showcase: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Technology Presentation: 6:05 pm

Where: MIT Campus and the Park Plaza Castle, Boston, MA

Visit Trilliant at Booth #310 at the Friday Night Showcase.

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Trilliant Leads Discussion and Participates at the 2012 MIT Energy Conference was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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Green Energy Options joins Trilliant Interoperability Group was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

The Communications Hub Interoperability Group is an alliance built to provide a simple yet  cost effective way for UK utilities to adopt smart metering; to expedite the benefits of money saving energy management technology to consumers and to support DECC in their drive forward of the National Smart Metering roll out.  The benefits of deploying interoperable products will be manifold for utilities, government and consumers – lower product and system development costs; introduction of consumer choice and less complex business processes.

Including GEO, nine industry players and in-home display providers have come together within Trilliant’s Interoperability Group, which utilises smart energy standards developed by Zigbee and the Smart Specification Working Group (SSWG).

The Government has identified smart meters as a key energy efficiency technology and is aiming for 52 million smart meters to be installed in 30 million homes and businesses in the UK between 2014 and 2019. The scale of this roll-out demands collaboration to ensure fast and efficient implementation.

Recent research commissioned by the European Smart Metering Industry Group found that UK households have the potential to achieve annual savings of £938 million a year by measuring and managing their electricity use using smart meters.  One of the key barriers to this roll out is the technical complexity of the multiple energy management devices on the market.  By unifying these manufacturers, Trilliant is aiming to limit the time and expense of separate standalone equipment roll-outs, and provide a simpler, more robust offering for utilities.

Patrick Caiger-Smith, CEO at GEO said:

“GEO has been an innovative thought leader in the presentation of energy information and has become a market leader. As the field of energy displays is now evolving rapidly, interoperability is a key requirement for both products and the web services that go with them from here on. We’re pleased to be working with partners such as Trilliant which have leading parts to play in connecting elements of the smart meter infrastructure together”. 

The products brought to market through the Interoperability Group will cover a wide range of products, technologies and approaches, but are all oriented towards providing consumers with better information about their energy consumption, and empowering those consumers to make better decisions about energy use. 

 Jon Parr, Managing Director, EMEA, Trilliant, said:

“The Government has set an ambitious, but achievable, target for utilities to roll out smart meters in UK homes and businesses.  This Interoperability Group together with the output of the SSWG, will help utilities speed up the roll-out , with less risk, by offering them an environment where multiple energy management devices and technologies can securely and effectively talk to one another.”

About Green Energy Options Ltd (GEO)

Based in the UK and Germany GEO is now a leading provider of in-home displays, mobile and on-line services for UK and international domestic energy markets.

GEO’s products and services are designed to engage users and giving utilities the ability to build their relationship with their customers. GEO prides itself on combining the benefits of products and on-line services that together deliver flexible, scalable solutions that are innovative and offer clear business value. GEO also supplies meter manufacturers with in-home displays that enhance their smart offering to utilities. In particular, GEO designs, develops and supports customised solutions for businesses that are looking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market space.

As utilities look to move their proposition away from commodity to a service, GEO’s products provide them with tools that put consumers in control of their energy, improving the comfort of their homes and whilst being environmentally responsible.

GEO has seen significant growth since its inception in 2006 and has now sold over 1.4million displays. With a team of 35 direct staff and more than 250 people through outsourced work GEO manages its own supply chain in China, which is capable of delivering over 100,000 units a month. Online development is managed in-house with the support of experienced partners, giving piece of mind to their clients. 

For more information visit: www.greenenergyoptions.co.uk

Press Contacts

Christine Rush

Green Energy Options Limited

01223 850210

Christine@greenenergyoptions.co.uk  

Vicky Bentall

Edelman for Trilliant

020 3047 2331

Victoria.bentall@edelman.com

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Green Energy Options Ltd joins Trilliant Interoperability Group – Opening the Market for UK Smart Meter Roll-out was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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This interoperable standard-based solution combines Trilliant’s UnitySuite™ software, SecureMesh® networking and Dynamic Data eXchange (DDX) technology to provide a platform for utilities to enable demand response and energy awareness programs. It enables utilities and energy service providers to empower consumers with relevant information at the right time to manage and increase their awareness of their own energy consumption. 16 leading home energy companies have joined with Trilliant to deliver this simplified, interoperable energy awareness solutions for utilities to more quickly bring the benefits of smart metering to consumers.

″We are honored to have received this recognition,” said Andy White, CEO of Trilliant. ″This is a testament to Trilliant’s successful efforts to provide innovative solutions that aim to deliver the benefits of the smart grid to both utilities and consumers.”

The breadth and depth of Trilliant’s overall purpose-built communications solutions deliver the unified and comprehensive solutions needed for utilities to deploy mission-critical smart grid applications. Trilliant has successfully worked with leading utilities and energy providers around the world to deploy its proven, innovative solutions that best suit the customers’ needs.

“The solutions that have been recognized with the Smart Grid Excellence Award reflect the diverse range of innovation driving this market. Congratulations to Trilliant which best exemplified the best of smart grid technologies in 2011,” said stated Carl Ford, co-founder and community developer, Crossfire.

“I am pleased to acknowledge Trilliant for its contribution to the advancement of Smart Grid technologies by bestowing our Second Annual Smart Grid Excellence Award to them,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “Congratulations and I look forward to more innovation in 2012.”

Winners are published on SmartGrid.TMCnet.com and included in its E-newsletter. For more information, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

About Smart Grid

Smart Grid is the leading website dedicated to the rapidly developing technologies that enable and harness Smart Grids, with Smart Grid is the leading website dedicated to the rapidly developing technologies that enable and harness Smart Grids, with particular emphasis on applications, products and software for improving residential, business, institutional and facilities’ power consumption.

This Website offers information and analysis for anyone interested in researching, purchasing and applying smart grid technologies. It includes Smart Grid industry news and expert analysis by Carl Ford, Crossfire Media. Visitors will find free resources including Online Communities, blogs, feature articles, videos and more. SmartGrid.TMCnet.com is sponsored by TMC, an integrated, global media company helping clients in print, in person and online, and Crossfire Media, an integrated marketing company with a core focus on future trends in technology. Please visit http://smart-grid.tmcnet.com

About TMC

TMC is a global, integrated media company that helps clients build communities in print, in person, and online. TMC publishes the Customer Interaction Solutions, INTERNET TELEPHONY, Next Gen Mobility, InfoTECH Spotlight and Cloud Computing magazines. TMCnet.com, which is read by two million unique visitors each month, is the leading source of news and articles for the communications and technology industries. TMC is the producer of ITEXPO, the world’s leading B2B communications event. In addition, TMC runs multiple industry events. Visit TMC Events for a complete listing and further information. For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com.

TMC Contact:

Jan Pierret
Marketing Manager
203-852-6800, ext. 228
jpierret@tmcnet.com

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Trilliant Receives 2011 Smart Grid Excellence Award was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

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Trilliant forms UK smart meter interoperability group was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

The Interoperability Group is built around the Trilliant Communications Hub, which is the first generally available hub designed to support the initial deployment stage of smart meters and the first to address issues of multi-supplier and multi-device interoperability from the ground up.  It is already being delivered through a partnership between Trilliant and one of the ‘big six’ UK utility companies.

The Communications Hub Interoperability Group is a robust alliance, providing a simpler, cost effective way for UK utilities to adopt smart metering and to expedite the benefits of money saving energy management technology to consumers.  The benefits of deploying interoperable products will be manifold for utilities, government and consumers – lower development costs; introduction of consumer choice and less complex deployments.

 Recent research commissioned by the European Smart Metering Industry Group found that UK households have the potential to achieve annual savings of £938 million a year by measuring and managing their electricity use using smart meters.  The Government has identified smart meters as a key energy efficiency technology and is aiming for 52 million smart meters to be installed in 30 million homes and businesses in the UK between 2014 and 2019.  One of the key barriers to this roll out is the technical complexity of the multiple energy management devices on the market.  By unifying these manufacturers, Trilliant is aiming to limit the time and expense of separate standalone equipment roll-outs, and provide a simpler, more robust offering for utilities.

 Jon Parr, Managing Director, EMEA, Trilliant, said:

 “The Government has set an ambitious, but achievable, target for utilities to roll out smart meters in UK homes and businesses.  The Interoperability Group helps utilities start the roll-out faster, with less risk, by offering them an environment where multiple energy management devices and technologies can securely and effectively talk to one another.”

The products brought to market through the Interoperability Group will cover a wide range of products, technologies and approaches, but are all oriented towards providing consumers with better information about their energy consumption, and empowering those consumers to make better decisions about energy use. 

 Eight industry players and in-home display providers have come together within Trilliant’s Interoperability Group, such as leading energy and water resource management solution provider, Itron, as well as Onzo a global leader in data and analytics for utilities, plus Chameleon, a manufacturer of smart meter in-home displays.

 Joel Hagan, CEO, Onzo Ltd, said:

 “Onzo is committed to providing products that empower consumers to take control of their energy, as well as meet the requirements of utilities and regulators. Onzo are delighted to be part of the Trilliant eco-system, which will create robust interoperability between different manufacturers, promoting innovation and customer choice, as well as significantly simplifying the complexities of the UK smart meter roll-out.”

 Mike Woodhall, Managing Director, Chameleon, said:

“The next two years is a critical period in the run-up to the mandated mass roll out of smart meters. By joining the Interoperability Group, Chameleon is playing its part in the simplification of technologies deployed in the marketplace. Interoperability is crucial to the positive engagement of customers. This, in turn, is vital to a successful roll out for the whole country. Through collaboration with other manufacturers on the open Trilliant platform we can help to bring immediate value to utilities and their customers.”

About Onzo

Onzo is a global leader in big data and analytics for utilities. Onzo delivers valuable insight from the analysis of energy use and other data, transforming customer relationships, improving energy efficiency, shifting peak demand, offering new energy services and reducing operational costs.

 Onzo’s unique approach combines utility sector experience with an advanced capability in data analytics to create smart solutions that require minimal hardware, making it economic to deploy them at scale for the mass-market. Onzo’s sensor, gateway and software enable high resolution energy use readings to be collected and returned from smart and non-smart meters. Its Data Analysis Engine is capable of handling different data resolutions from monthly to one-second reads, and can process trillions of data readings, extracting valuable insights, including the identification of individual appliances from whole house data.  Onzo offers a full range of customer touchpoints including a web portal, printed report, display, smartphone, email and SMS alerts. www.onzo.com

Related content:

1. Green Energy Options Ltd joins Trilliant Interoperability Group – Opening the Market for UK Smart Meter Roll-out
2. Trilliant Expands Wireless MeshReader™ Communications Offering for Gas Meter Applications
3. Trilliant and KORE Telematics Partner on Two-Way C&I Meter Reading Solutions across Digital Cellular Networks

Trilliant Opens the Market for UK Smart Meter Roll-out was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

Related content:

1. Smart Grid Product of the Year Award Winners
2. Smart Grid Week in Review: M2M and the Grid, TMC Announces Product of the Year Awards
3. The New Economy Smart Grid Awards 2010

Announcing the 2011 Smart Grid Excellence Awards Winners was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

What: Thunderbird Global Business Dialogue

Who: Sonita Lontoh, Head of Corporate Marketing, Trilliant

When: Friday, November 11, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.

Where: Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa, Glendale, Arizona

Session: Energy Panel  

For more information, visit: http://www.thunderbird.edu/about_thunderbird/events/11-11-11/global_business_dialogue/index.htm

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Trilliant Participates in Energy Panel at Thunderbird Global Business Dialogue was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

Trilliant listened to regulators and utilities and developed a product to create simplified demand response for its customers. Markets such as Ontario, Canada, where time-of-use pricing is widely deployed, will greatly benefit from a solution such as this. Many utilities consider time-of-use billing a critical business benefit of a smarter energy grid because it allows them to delay the construction of power generation and distribution infrastructure, resulting in lower environmental impact, more reliable service and lower capital expenditures.

“Engaging customers in their energy consumption is one of the most critical benefits of a smart grid,” said Rob Conant, chief marketing officer for Trilliant. “However, finding simple, holistic, interoperable solutions has previously been difficult. This new offering provides a platform for a simpler rollout of consumer programs, with proven interoperability on a variety of electricity meters and in-home devices and systems.”

Trilliant’s Consumer-Engagement Solutions simplify the daily activities for utilities relating to consumer engagement programs by streamlining and improving device management. The product has integrated industry standard HAN security into a utility grade multi-tier network and provides built-in privacy enhancements. 

Built on Trilliant’s UnitySuite DSM Enterprise Software and run across Trilliant’s SecureMesh network, the solutions leverage Trilliant’s DDX technology, which has previously been used to give Trilliant scalability in metering applications through distributed intelligence in the millions of meter nodes deployed at customers’ homes.  With this new solution, Trilliant has extended the use of the distributed intelligence of DDX technology to provide that same scalability, real-time alarms and efficient use of communications resources. 

In related news, Trilliant also announced today that a robust ecosystem of industry leaders have joined to deliver interoperable energy awareness devices for utilities to more quickly bring the benefits of smart metering to consumers. These vendors’ products will be compatible with Trilliant’s Consumer-Engagement Solutions and promote interoperability with a smart grid for the benefit of utilities and consumers. Through the Partner Interoperability Process (PIP), Trilliant and leading partners strive to increase the certainty, clarity and quality of end-to-end interoperable, smart grid-enabled, consumer-owned home area network (HAN) solutions. This reduces the risk for utilities in navigating the rapidly-changing home area network landscape.

Related content:

1. Trilliant Brings Industry Together for Interoperable Consumer Products
2. Trilliant and Siemens Energy Demonstrate Interoperable Distribution Automation Solutions
3. Trilliant Announces Digital Cellular Solutions Operating at over 20 North American Utilities

Trilliant Debuts Consumer-Engagement Solutions was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), interoperability is one of the greatest challenges facing smart grids as a multitude of technologies, systems and devices need to securely and effectively talk to each other. Dick DeBlasio, chief engineer for renewable electricity and end use systems with NREL, said that the very nature of adding information and communications technology to the electric power grid and making everything work together intelligently and securely is a daunting task, yet critical to the success of the Smart Grid. Trilliant has brought these companies together to address this task and brings together a robust ecosystem of industry leaders to enhance and promote interoperability between energy management devices and the smart meter.

“Consumers will ultimately be the biggest beneficiaries of the smart grid,” said Rob Conant, chief marketing officer for Trilliant. “Trilliant is committed to helping utilities empower energy consumers with our open, standards-based, interoperable offerings.  Today we are pleased to be bringing together a group of industry-leading companies to provide interoperable solutions that will bring real and immediate value to utility customers.” 

The products brought to market through these partners cover a wide range of products, technologies and approaches, but are all oriented towards providing consumers better information about their energy consumption, and empowering those consumers to make better decisions about energy use. With the next-generation, standards-based smart grid communications systems now available, empowering consumers to manage their energy use are becoming a critical driver for utilities worldwide.

The partners that have come together to offer products interoperable with Trilliant’s Consumer-Engagement Solutions include:

Ambient Devices 

Ambient Devices, founded in 2001, is the leader of in-home peripheral information. Ambient offers products that display real-time, actionable information for weather, sports, stock market and energy demand. With over 1 million products distributed worldwide, Ambient’s latest product, the Energy Orb, has been deployed to over a dozen utilities in demand response programs nationwide. 

Aztech

Aztech provides an intuitive product for monitoring energy consumption. The backlit LCD clearly displays numerically and graphically energy consumed, estimated cost and historical consumption. The color of the patented light bar represent electricity tiers/block at a glance. The speed of motion is proportional to the amount of energy being consumed. 

Digi 

Digi X-Grid ™ Solutions connect devices to applications and applications to people. The value of a smart grid initiative is maximized when consumers are actively engaged. Digi X-Grid Solutions provide easy access to energy usage information, control of energy consuming devices and management of energy producing capabilities in real time via smart phone and Web services applications.

Ecobee

ecobee’s Open Energy Management Platform delivers intelligent energy management solutions with an exceptional customer experience. Utilities benefit from a lower total cost of ownership and a future-proof and standards compliant platform. ecobee’s  WiFi and Zigbee enabled thermostats,  Web portals and smart phone apps are the industry choice for consumer engagement and energy efficiency.

Efergy 

Efergy Technologies Limited is a global company providing cost-effective, easy-to-understand, in-home Customer Information Displays. Whether a HAN real time energy monitoring solution for homeowners or an advanced AMI solution with load control for demand response, Efergy is dedicated to meeting the requirements of utilities.  

Energate

Energate provides industry leading home energy management solutions including smart thermostats, switches, consumer energy displays, software, wireless communications and gateways. Energate’s products have unprecedented versatility and interoperability and have been connecting conservation with comfort at select Trilliant utilities since 2008, providing value to both consumers and utilities.

Energy Aware

Energy Aware Technology Inc. is a Vancouver based company providing innovative demand management solutions for today’s changing electrical grid. Energy Aware’s home energy monitoring products allow consumers to reduce their energy consumption by up to 15 percent. 

GEO

GEO provides utilities and retailers with in-home displays, mobile and on-line services that make energy engaging and more manageable for their customers. It also supplies meter manufacturers with in-home displays that enhance their smart offering to utilities.

MMB Research

MMB Research is a Toronto company with industry-leading expertise in connected home technologies. MMB’s RapidSE platform is a fully automated solution that enables device vendors to rapidly bring smart energy and home automation products to market with dramatic time and cost savings. MMB offers a range of complimentary engineering and support services to further accelerate customer solutions.

Murata

Murata is a leading provider of WiFi, Bluetooth and Zigbee solutions in a range of applications including highly integrated small footprint modules to home energy devices like in-home displays, thermostat, load controller and home appliances. These modules, complete with a software solution, significantly simplify design, optimize RF performance and minimize time to market.

Owon Development

Owon Development Inc. is part of Lilliput Electronics. Owon will accelerate widespread consumer adoption of touch-screen products for in-home energy displays, time-of-use touch-screen thermostats, and enhanced intelligent smart-home devices. The devices will use the latest interoperability protocols providing consumers with an easy-to-use interface to track and control energy usage in a simple, entertaining and up-to-date manner.

PowerWatch

PowerWatch provides technology products for advanced real-time home energy management and demand response systems that enable consumers to reduce energy consumption 10 to 20 percent. Over the last five years, PowerWatch has deployed thousands of devices throughout Canada, the U.S., France, Brazil and India, and prides itself on designing and delivering leading edge innovations in energy conservation and demand management.

Rainforest Automation

Rainforest Automation Inc. provides consumers with simple products and services built around their real-time energy usage that can help them feel involved with the smart grid, and empowered to make changes to their energy consumption.

RTCOA

Radio Thermostat Company of America makes the world’s most innovative home energy management solutions. Throughout the past 30 years the company has sold millions of its thermostats and related products through leading retailers, utility partners and an extensive HVAC and dealer network.

Telegesis

Telegesis manufactures a full range of OEM ZigBee modules complete with full AT command layer if required, allowing fast and simple ZigBee implementations. Telegesis also offers world class design support with particular focus on ZigBee Smart Energy.  The company has a proven track record in taking ZigBee Smart Energy designs from initial concept through to compliant, certified and finished products.

Tendril

Tendril provides the cloud platform for the Energy Internet, delivering consumer engagement products, applications and services and utility solutions such as Energy Efficiency and Demand Response all powered by Tendril Connect™—an open, secure and scalable platform that creates a dialogue between energy service providers, consumers and ecosystem partners.

Related content:

1. Trilliant Debuts Consumer-Engagement Solutions
2. Trilliant and Siemens Energy Demonstrate Interoperable Distribution Automation Solutions
3. ABB and Trilliant announce interoperable advanced Smart Grid solutions

Trilliant Brings Industry Together for Interoperable Consumer Products was posted at Trilliant. | http://www.trilliantinc.com