Smart grid equipment market set for revenue boom

IMS Research expects the smart meter market to begin returning to a healthy position before long. Just a few years ago, the smart meter sector thrived because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since then, smart meter purchases have declined substantially. That is about to change. The recession in the smart meter sector should begin to run out of steam in 2015 and the sector as a whole could grow substantially from that point. Combined, the distribution and smart meter markets will climb 3 percent year-over-year from 2014 to 2015. The sector will be valued at $3.2 billion in 2016. By 2017, the revenues will hit $2.6 billion.

Supporting smart meters and distribution automation
Terminal server systems play a vital role in maximizing the value of smart meters and other smart grid systems. Media conversion solutions are vital to supporting smart grid systems because the technology is built around real-time data transit between grid-specific solutions and a variety of consumer and IT endpoints. As a result, serial-to Ethernet connectivity is a vital consideration in the smart grid. Capitalizing on the benefits of distribution automation and smart meter investments depends heavily on effective terminal server deployment.

Perle offers a range of cost effective serial-to-Ethernet converters to help meet NERC-CIP compliance for the protection of critical cyber assets 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.