Brazilian power utility company Eletrobras has selected US-based technology firm Itron to modernise its electric grid.
The utility operator intends to use Itron’s OpenWay Riva solution in six of its power distribution subsidiaries.
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The technology features adaptive communications technology and distributed computing power, which can support smart grid applications on Cisco’s IPv6 network.
Itron Latin America electricity managing director Emerson Souza said: "OpenWay Riva is a true breakthrough in the industry.
"It reduces network planning, design and implementation time and helps companies like Eletrobras accelerate their time to value for smart grid applications.
"Specifically, the solution will contribute to Eletrobras’ efforts to address energy theft, which is a major issue for electric utilities in Brazil."
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By GlobalDataAdaptive communication technology will allow Eletrobras to set up a single network which will facilitate both radio frequency (RF) and power line carrier (PLC). RF and PLC will be integrated in the same device to work in concert at real times.
The solution picks the best possible way for communications on the basis of network operating conditions, data attributes and application requirements.
Eletrobras corporate manager for the AMI Project Paulo Lucena said: "With Itron’s solution, we will be able to address the issues we face with losses and theft in order to improve our operations and recover lost revenues. It will also give us a pathway for future smart grid applications."
The technology works as a unified device-level software platform for new smart grid applications, which can better accuracy and timeliness of outage detection and analysis, management of transformer load and energy diversion detection.
The product also has features such as remote metering, remote disconnect and diversion detection, which can add to the conventionally used smart metering capabilities.
