Hosted AMI solution and AMR to AMI migration strategies to provide multiple cost-effective smart grid options designed for public power
ATLANTA, Ga., and RALEIGH, N.C. – Jan. 28, 2016 – Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), a joint action professional services organization representing the interests of 52 public power systems in Georgia, and Tantalus Systems have jointly announced the formation of a partnership in support of expanding electric and multi-commodity AMI and smart grid application solutions throughout the state of Georgia. The partnership names Tantalus as the Preferred Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solutions provider for ECG member utilities.
Tantalus and ECG will collaborate to offer member utilities a variety of options to deploy AMI and smart grid solutions, including the ability to efficiently migrate existing Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology to a robust two-way AMI platform by remotely collecting readings from legacy electric, water and gas encoder receiver transmitter (ERT) devices. The offering will also provide members with an option to utilize a hosted service to offset the up-front capital investments in IT infrastructure typically required to support AMI deployments. Tantalus will enable ECG utilities to access a wide range of integrated applications such as prepay, remote disconnect/reconnect, outage management, water leak detection and metering data analytics on a single network.
“ECG’s role is to serve as an advocate on behalf of our member utilities,” remarked John Giles, President & CEO of ECG. “After conducting a comprehensive technology review process, ECG is confident in its recommendation of the Tantalus solution for our members. Tantalus’ unique ability to read existing ERT technology with a two-way AMI network provides utilities with an economical path to automate the collection of consumption and billing data from electric, water and gas meters. By incorporating a hosted solution in the model, we can expand the range of services that ECG offers while mitigating ‘resources constraints’ as a barrier to broader smart grid adoption. We are pleased to have identified Tantalus as a trusted partner that will work closely with us to strengthen the performance and reliability of member distribution networks across the state.”
“Tantalus is honored to work alongside the team at ECG to provide a scalable path to full smart grid automation which is easily attainable by all utilities, regardless of size,” said Peter Londa, President & CEO of Tantalus. “Partnering with Joint Action Agencies to deliver technology solutions which are in alignment with the shared goals and objectives of those Agencies and their members provides Tantalus with a unique opportunity to expand our presence in the municipal and cooperative utility sector. We are excited to build new long-term partnerships in Georgia as we continue to deliver quantifiable value to all utility stakeholders and consumers.”
TUNet® – the Tantalus Utility Network – is designed to simultaneously support multiple data-driven applications such as AMI, Distribution Automation (DA), streetlight control and load management on a single, software-definable platform. Each TUNet endpoint utilizes an embedded multi-core distributed computing processor with a Linux-based operating system, enabling end point devices to form an interconnected control environment at the edge of the network. This intelligent architecture is coupled with ample RAM and flash memory in each device to support additional applications, ensuring flexibility and future scalability for the utility while immediately reducing operating costs, improving response time to events and improving customer service. Tantalus is also fully integrated with a broad ecosystem of leading utility solution partners for seamless interoperability in diverse operating environments.
Additionally, TUNet is capable of enhancing existing AMR investments, such as ERT infrastructure, with bi-directional communications. This strategic approach drives down capital and operational expenses while increasing the ROI of existing investments. With this approach, utilities can extend the useful life of existing un-depreciated infrastructure while immediately capturing the benefits of smart grid. Since the introduction of the ERT-reading solution last year, more than 20 municipal and cooperative utilities, including ECG members Marietta Power and Water and the City of Blakely, are now automated with TUNet and have gained access to a full suite of ROI-building advanced applications.
About Tantalus
Tantalus provides a two-way, multi-purpose platform that enables access to data to power advanced Smart Grid applications for monitoring and control of electric, water and gas municipal and cooperative utilities. TUNet® – the Tantalus Utility Network – is an award winning end-to-end WAN/FAN/LAN/Grid Edge communications system that utilizes IP-based networks including Fiber, WiMAX and cellular as well as 220 & 900 MHz wireless RF. TUNet is purpose built for the Smart Grid and unites utility applications through distributed computing capability embedded at every endpoint. The result is enhanced value across all utility departments through solutions such as automated metering, outage management, power quality monitoring, load management and distribution automation that are both cost-effective and practical to deploy throughout urban and rural service areas. For more information, please visit www.tantalus.com.
About ECG
Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) was formally created in 1992 as a non-profit trade association providing cost-effective utility professional resource support; state-wide and local economic development services; key relationship facilitation with ECG Members and their stakeholders; and both utility and non-utility educational opportunities for 52 public power systems in the State of Georgia. In addition, ECG provides Training & Safety programs for public power systems in Florida and Alabama. In 2009, ECG was reconstituted to allow for providing support services to expand beyond the electric business into water, sewer, natural gas and telecom utility enterprises within the 52 ECG Members. For more information, please visit www.ecoga.org.
