Remote - Spring 2016 - (Page 34)

Industry News USEF and OpenADR Sign Memorandum of Understanding Fostering Cooperation in Connecting & Optimizing Smart Energy Systems The OpenADR (Open Automated Demand Response) Alliance and USEF (Universal Smart Energy Framework) Foundation, havev signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that lays the foundation for the two organizations to cooperate on the utilization of demand-side flexibility for optimization of smart energy systems. By working together, the partners aim to accelerate the development of an integrated smart energy future that is energy efficient and costeffective and beneficial for businesses and consumers alike. OpenADR is an open and standardized way for electricity providers and system operators to communicate DR signals with each other and with their customers, using a common language USEF delivers the integrated market structure, the tools and rules for commoditization and trading of flexible energy use. USEF specifies the roles, the processes and the data communication basics that enable maximizing the value of flexible energy use. As such, USEF provides a universal framework to accommodate and monetize OpenADR standardization services. USEF Foundation and OpenADR Alliance recognize mutual advantages in cooperation: OpenADR could benefit from USEF's front-running position in Europe and existing alignment with European initiatives. USEF benefits from the fact that OpenADR is adopted by many equipment manufacturers and the practical experience with US demand response programs. Under the agreement, the two organizations will work together to harmonize the communication methods used to execute the business functions defined by USEF. Both parties will also collaborate on key industry initiatives such as creating and proposing new demand response and flexibility programs, implementation of value add functions for utilities and other energy sector companies. Berg Insight Predicts 1 Billion Cellular M2M Subscribers by 2022 According to a research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the global number of cellular M2M subscribers increased by 23 percent during 2015 to reach 265.2 million at the end of the year. East Asia was the largest regional market with 90.4 million M2M subscribers, followed by Western Europe and North America with 59.0 million and 52.5 million respectively. Over the next five years, the installed base of cellular M2M devices is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9 percent. "Our current view is that the 1 billion milestone for cellular M2M subscribers will be reached in 2022", says Tobias Ryberg, senior analyst Berg Insight and author of the report. As the cellular M2M market continues to grow, it is starting to generate substantial revenues for leading telecom operator groups. Verizon and Vodafone reported quarterly 34 www.RemoteMagazine.com M2M/IoT revenues in the range of € 150 to 200 million each in the first half of 2015 and could be on track to reach € 1 billion on an annual basis within a few years' time. Both groups have substantial telematics businesses, originally established through acquisitions. Besides traditional connectivity and professional services, they generate a considerable share of their sales from automotive products, driver assistance services and connected automotive applications. One of the main trends highlighted by the report is the rapid transformation of the wireless M2M/IoT networking technology landscape. 2G networks are gradually taken out of service to be replaced by more efficient 4G technology. At the same time, new enhancements are being added to the LTE standard to better accommodate typical M2M use-cases with large numbers of devices and very low data requirements. In addition, the leading players in the mobile industry have reached a highly significant agreement to define a new global standard for low power wireless communication based on mobile network infrastructure. The new NB-IoT standard was accepted by the 3GPP in December 2015 and will be included in the 3GPP Release 13, due for publication in January 2016. Berg Insight believes that the initiative will become successful in establishing a global standard for lightweight IoT communication on public networks in the next three to five years. Aclara Completes Acquisition of GE Grid Solutions' Electricity Meters Business Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) has announced the acquisition of the electricity meters business currently operating within GE Energy Management's Grid Solutions subdivision (GE Meters) has been completed. The acquisition includes GE Meters' global headquarters in Somersworth, New Hampshire, as well as facilities in Chicago, Illinois and Bilbao, Spain. It also includes more than 300 employees in these locations as well as other employees located in North and South America, Asia and United Kingdom. As part of the transaction, Aclara has also acquired a significant intellectual property portfolio of active patents and patent applications, ensuring a seamless transition for GE Meters' customers. "The acquisition of GE Meters has been completed smoothly and according to schedule. We look forward to proceeding with the integration of operations and employees into a dynamic, expanded and highly synergistic organization that combines Aclara's industry leading advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology with GE Meters' 130 years of operating experience, technology development and commercial expertise. The combined offering will set a new standard of excellence for our industry," said Allan Connolly, CEO and President of Aclara. http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Spring 2016

Editor's Choice
Driving Real-Time Insight in the Oil and Gas Industry
One Network to Rule Them All
Rolls-Royce Power Systems Protection Underground Data Center
Going Beyond Compliance: Using NERC CIP v5 as a Catalyst for a Greater Security Strategy
Different Hardware Platforms, Same HMI Software
Satellite Communications: Extending the Reach of Your Monitoring and Control Footprint
Key Elements to Designing an IoT Network for Remote Monitoring
4G LTE Versus Wi-Fi Versus Bluetooth: What Every Aspiring IoT Entrepreneur Needs to Know
SCADA
Networking
Security
Onsite Power
Industry News

Remote - Spring 2016