Volume 3, Number 2 | Spring 2010 |
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Aclara demonstrated the industry’s first home-area network (HAN) based on proven, widely adopted Wi-Fi® technology at DistribuTECH 2010 in Tampa, Fla. The solution was developed in conjunction with Intwine Connect, a technology company specializing in internet-based connectivity solutions.
“Aclara is committed to advancing HAN solutions that allow consumers to fully participate in managing resource use in their homes and businesses,” said Gary Moore, President of Aclara RF Systems Inc. “The solution we are announcing shows how Wi-Fi acts as a conduit to innovation that truly meet the needs of both utilities and consumers.” As it develops its solutions, Aclara is collaborating with other Wi-Fi Alliance® members within the organization’s Smart Grid task group. The Wi-Fi Alliance, with more than 300 member companies, is an international non-profit association that promotes interoperable Wi-Fi technology across devices and markets. “Wi-Fi-based solutions are supported by an ecosystem of leading-edge companies that provide a stable development environment, allowing businesses like ours to create interoperable solutions that embed the security, reliability, and availability needed to meet the requirements of utilities, consumers, and regulators,” said Mark Thompson, vice-president of strategic communication networks for Aclara RF Systems Inc. “We congratulate Aclara on its new Wi-Fi solution in the HAN market, and its continued contributions to the Smart Grid environment. This demonstrates the great opportunity for Wi-Fi in the development of smarter and more efficient energy management for consumers and utilities alike,” said Greg Ennis, Technical Director for the Wi-Fi Alliance. The Wi-Fi Alliance recently recognized Aclara’s work to promote wireless solutions for utilities with its Outstanding Leadership and Contribution Award for a New Member. The award acknowledges Aclara’s contribution in the area of Smart Grid standards and its efforts to promote participation in the Alliance’s Smart Grid task group. |
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The demonstration illustrated how the Aclara HAN solution can connect numerous interoperable home devices through a portal operating on a standard 
It’s Time to Synchronize Your Water System Aclara Now Offers Time-Synchronized Reading of Water Meters The Aclara® STAR® Network meter transmission units (MTUs) now deliver two-way communication and a time-synchronized network to provide a utility with a snapshot of system water consumption. In a time-synched network, all meter endpoints are maintained at the same time and reads are taken simultaneously, so utilities can reconcile the amount of water entering a system with the amount of billable water that reaches consumers. With this information, utilities can determine how much water is being lost to leaks and other system problems. “Time synchronization is really a cornerstone of two-way communications for a water utility,” said Todd Stocker, water product manager for Aclara RF Systems Inc. “It provides the data necessary to understand where water loss is occurring. In fact, system reconciliation is really the first building block of leak detection.”
The 3300 Water MTU provides these additional functions while maintaining the 20-year battery life for which the STAR Network system is known. The MTUs offer accurate, consistent readings in all locations, even when placed in traditionally difficult installation locations such as meter vaults and basements. The scalable STAR Network system is a radio-based fixed network that empowers utilities to maximize meter functionality and provide superior customer service. Accurate and timely billing, high/low consumption reporting, and non-revenue water-loss detection are some benefits the STAR Network system offers utilities. |
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This functionality for water systems is featured in the new 
2010 Aclara Client Conference – Clarity of your vision and objectives • Focus on action • Commitment to results. If you have not yet registered for the 2010 Aclara Client Conference, we urge you to do so now! We have prepared a variety of timely and in-demand presentations and panels that will cover your current applications, products under development, and current industry trends. The conference will also feature live demos of just introduced Intelligent Infrastructure™ solutions, such as the industry’s first Wi-Fi-based home-area network (HAN) and the new software unified-framework initiative. At the Aclara Client Conference, you’ll find we strive to provide a wealth of valuable information, as well as the several opportunities to discuss relevant issues with your peers and Aclara executive, technical, sales, and support staffs. Be sure to check out AclaraClientConference.com for conference information on the following:
Our clients who come back to this conference year after year have listed many reasons why they’ll find this conference valuable, both professionally and personally.
Our speaker for the 2010 Aclara Client Conference will be the former Lead Solo of the Blue Angels, John Foley. John draws on his experiences to show you how to achieve unprecedented performance excellence in your team. His motivational leadership presentation will demonstrate a disciplined approach for developing the four ingredients essential for optimal team performance:
To register, click here. For more information, contact: |
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Aclara TWACS Technology Customer Taps Meter Data Management and Customer-Care Tools for Smart Grid Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), of North Fort Myers, FL, has been an
“We’re opening up an all-new dialogue with customers,” said Dennie Hamilton CEO for LCEC. “By giving customers the power to have us call, text, or email with alerts before a high bill arrives, we’re offering proactive customer service and the chance for no-surprises energy bills.” Hamilton also notes that the MDMS positions the utility to support emerging technologies. “It won’t be long before people come home from work, plug in their cars, and expect vehicles to be charged for a morning commute,” he said. “With the MDMS, we’ll be able to implement an hourly meter-reading schedule, and we’ll have two-way communications into each household. That means we’ll be ready to balance charging load as more and more plug-in vehicles hit the road.” Hourly meter readings also equip the utility to offer time-based rates and other demand response programs, as well as pre-pay. In addition, the software will facilitate net billing for customers who generate their own electricity. “Utilities are facing increasing pressure from regulators to operate more efficiently and support Green energy,” said Jackie Lemmerhirt, senior director of product management for Aclara Software Inc. “LCEC is now well positioned to meet regulatory mandates for demand response programs and net metering on homes with roof-top solar arrays.” Along with the MDMS and customer portal, LCEC has contractual options to integrate additional Aclara Software modules to its system for load research and forecasting, distribution asset analysis, device management, and revenue assurance. |
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With the addition of the Aclara MDMS, the utility gains the ability to quickly validate, store, and integrate data from many utility systems, giving utility managers better decision-making power.
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Meet the New General Manager of Aclara Software Inc. Karen Flathers recently signed on as the general manager of Aclara Software Inc. Prior to Aclara, Karen spent 14 years at SAP America, where most recently she was senior vice-president of consulting delivery & operations. In this po sition, she managed the growth of the com pany’s consulting business from $680 million to over $1.3 billion in just three years and provided strategic and tactical leadership to 1,500 consultants and over 2,000 corporate clients. Flathers is very optimistic about the future for Aclara. “I’m excited about this new opportunity in a growing market space,“ said Flathers. “Working with Aclara over the past few years as a consultant, I’ve gotten to know the team and the applications. We are well positioned in the market with strong software solutions, deep industry expertise, and a strong client base. Our analytics and data management solutions are ahead of their time, and will provide a strong foundation for our continued growth. “There are many new players in the market”, she adds, “but we have the vision and technology to continue to lead the market.” Karen has a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Brown University. She resides with her family in Massachusetts. |
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New Contract Wins and Product Launches
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