Devolo, a powerline networking specialist, is supporting an EU-wide project to develop Smart Grid solutions, which will enable business and domestic customers to make better use of multiple energy sources.

Officials with devolo said that the company is participating in the European DLC-VIT4IP project, part of Europe’s Seventh Framework Programme.

According to company officials, the project combines the skills, knowledge and experience of 12 international companies and universities to jointly develop solutions that make more efficient use of energy networks, while at the same time reducing consumption.

Company officials said that as part of the project, devolo is developing a new kind of access powerline technology that establishes communication between the electricity substation and the domestic or business electricity meter.

“Our involvement in this programme demonstrates our commitment to the development of innovative Smart Grid solutions," said Peter Huddleston, UK operations manager at devolo, in a statement.

“With our expertise in developing innovative powerline solutions were well placed to design a new kind of access powerline communication technology,” said Huddleston.

DLC-VIT4IP is the EU’s Smart Grid Project.

Smart Grid has been devised for a decentralised energy infrastructure and enables efficient management of the continuously increasing number of small suppliers, such as owners of solar or wind power plants, who feed into the mains supply in addition to conventional power plants.

In addition, Smart Grid ensures uniform utilisation of the networks and avoids peaks. However, both residential and business customers of the energy providers benefit from the forward-looking technology.

The direct connection of their meter to the provider enables them to record their consumption in real time and save energy resources with informative statistics.