Smart Grid Network Technologies: Including Satellite

Utility companies rely on many different communications technologies to support their current operations; these can fall short of meeting emerging business requirements or may be too costly to build out. As a result, many utility companies are considering two-way satellite IP networks to fill the gaps.

To help utility companies make smart decisions about communications technologies, iDirect commissioned a ground-breaking research study to Pike Research.  The goal of the presentation is to outline the value of VSAT satellite and where it fits in into utility communications networks used to support the smart grid.

Key learnings:    

•  Which transport technologies are best suited by both functionally and cost of ownership to support emerging smart grid applications

•  When satellite communications is the right fit to support substation automation, network resilience and security, facility safety, smart metering and AMI backhaul.

•  Early successes from utility companies that have begun to build out a smart grid communications network