Back in 2010, Cisco (News - Alert) kicked off a smart grid project of its own, dubbed “Connected Grid,” with the release of routers and switches for enhanced energy management. Since then, the smart grid project developed by the company – whose vision under the Connected Grid model is to help utilities transform energy production, distribution and consumption to more sustainably meet future energy needs through an end-to-end, IP-based communications infrastructure – has come a long way.

Today, Cisco – a global company renowned for its networking products and services for the home and business – took to an online seminar to provide answers to questions that many of today’s utilities across the world have in regards to approaching transformational grid modernization projects. At the core of the conversation, led by executives from Cisco, Itron, and industry-leading utilities, was where Cisco’s Connected grid solutions, products and services are today in terms of modernizing the electrical grid.

An increasingly intelligent and complex electric grid has positioned utilities across the globe to seek out technology that will not only help to address growing operational needs over time, but can also support unique market structures and allow different vendor systems to function together. Accordingly, these utilities are also finding themselves chasing after solutions that deliver high security levels and can leverage existing installations to modernize their electric grids.

As Laura Ipsen (News - Alert), senior vice president of Connected Energy Networks for Cisco, so aptly put it: “Architecture is the foundation of what we do.” This stance, as well as the aforementioned requirements, is what has led Cisco to further develop its Connected Grid technology infrastructure to be comprised of built-in flexibility, security and interoperability in order to optimally address utilities’ concerns surrounding cost, reliability and scalability in their communication infrastructures. Through multiple applications being delivered over one intelligent and highly secure platform, utilities will ultimately achieve lower total cost of ownership, and benefit from added value from new services and integration of networks,

Ipsen, joined by Jeff Taft, chief architect of Smart Grid for Cisco; Jennifer Lin, senior director of product marketing for Cisco; and Dave Goddard, vice president of security assurance for the company, today unveiled to Cisco’s utilities and partners a comprehensive blueprint for smart grid deployments, named the Cisco GridBlocks Architecture. Other Cisco offerings to fall within this revolutionary architecture include a Field Area Network (FAN) solution delivered in conjunction with iTron, expanded transmission and substation solutions, and Connected Grid services, which are built to assist electric utilities in mapping out, designing and optimizing their grid modernization projects.

The power within Cisco’s all-new GridBlocks Architecture is the visibility it provides to utility operators. Not only do they get a complete communications view of the entire power delivery chain, but a modular approach enables them to hone in on specific components of their network at any time and adapt to differing market structures and regions. Even more, customers gain a holistic view of how they should develop their electric grid and design stages of technology implementation.

According to Taft, the chief benefits of the GridBlocks Architecture include connectivity, detailed network security, integrated computing storage and networking, distributed processing and advanced and focused network services and interfaces.

For Cisco partner SDG&E, Cisco’s Connected Grid portfolio has become its primary platform for energy innovation. As SDG&E’s vice president of operations, David L. Geier, explained on today’s webcast, Connected Grid is going to help the utility converge the data within a lineup of its ongoing initiatives – from smart meters to a microgrid to a new GIS system – in order to make quicker decisions for operating the grid.

“We just needed a solid partner,” Geier responded when asked why Cisco was their pick for optimizing the utility’s grid. “We needed a rugged cost-effective router we could put out in the field. Cisco gave us a great opportunity. We were able to work with their engineers and designers… and develop a product that will really work well in the utility industry. We know Cisco is in there for the long run… we know a decade from now, we will have a smart grid, have a lot of data points out there, and we are confident Cisco will be there to help us with that.”

The FAN solution is a culmination of a strategic alliance formed between Cisco and Itron in 2010 to integrate Itron’s smart grid solution on the Cisco IPv6-based network. In addition to simplifying utility operations through advanced metering infrastructure, distribution automation and protection and control over a common network platform, the FAN solution is also made up of new endpoints, device management and open and flexible network management system.

As part of the new FAN solution, Cisco today also unveiled the 1000 series Connected Grid Router, which comes in models for outdoor pole-top mount – called the CGR 1240 – and the indoor din-real mount, the CGR 1120, both of which support 2G/3G/WiMax and RF mesh connectivity and are optimized for external conditions and operational workflow.

"Together, Itron and Cisco are setting the stage for grid modernization,” said Philip Mezey, president and chief operating officer of Energy, Itron, in a press release. “We have delivered on our joint vision to create a truly open, interoperable communications architecture to drive smart grid success for our utility customers and consumers. Through our extensive collaboration, we are helping utilities accelerate adoption and simplify deployment of smart grid solutions, reduce the total cost of ownership of these systems, and unleash innovation for smart grid applications and technologies in the marketplace."

With the expansion of Cisco’s transmission and substation solutions, utilities will now be able to extend the longevity of their “installed base of technology” to standards-based networks. As part of this launch, Cisco also today introduced a complete set of communication modules for its 2000 Series Connected Grid Routers, which will now be marketed with enhanced security capabilities.

Lastly, under its Connected Grid services lineup, Cisco has released a collection of tools and professional services for utilities to leverage for prioritizing communication investments through portfolio-level analysis of solutions on a shared multi-layer infrastructure.

In the same regard, Cisco also developed a Connected Grid Visualization and Design Tool to reduce the complexity of automating substation communications. 

"The expansion of Cisco's smart grid offerings will enable utility customers to more effectively and efficiently transition to a highly intelligent energy infrastructure for the 21st century,” stated Ipsen. Cisco has developed solutions that will help utilities save money and derive more value out of their existing technology networks as they transition to more robust and scalable standards-based networks. This architectural approach to smart grid, enabled by industry alliances like the one between Cisco and Itron, can help utilities achieve long-term, strategic objectives while reducing operational expenses."

For more on Cisco’s innovative Connected Grid portfolio, click here.

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Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet web editor. She covers a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein