Further smart grid investments drive cost savings

SDG&E has already implemented five renewable energy solutions, using solar and wind generation.

Leesburg expects improvement despite setbacks
The city of Leesburg, Fla., recently implemented over 24,000 smart meters to advance its smart grid deployment. While the initiative has seen some setbacks, including delays in power-usage data accuracy testing and trouble in negotiations with GE, the company supplying the meters.

Despite the setbacks, the city is highly optimistic about the savings the investment will provide, both to residents and the city itself. From improving the flow of power to customers to streamlining disaster recovery and other efforts, enhancing the city's utility grid with smart meters will boost overall infrastructure management.

For any city looking to accomplish similar efforts, investing in smart meters is only half of the battle. Organizations also have to utilize the appropriate supporting hardware, like terminal servers and serial to Ethernet converter technology, which will boost the flow of information back to the power provider and ensure accuracy while eliminating latency.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyberassets in substations. The IOLAN SDS HV/LDC Terminal Server is designed to meet harsh environments associated with Power Substations with attributes such as support for substation AC and DC voltage ranges, extended operating temperatures and meeting emission, immunity and safety approvals associated with substation IT equipment.