Battelle selects SmartSynch technology for Ohio project

JACKSON — Battelle has selected the SmartSynch GridRouter communications module to serve as the Home Energy Manager (HEM) component to compliment its Active Demand Management System (ADM).

Terms were not disclosed.

Battelle’s ADM enables real-time pricing and pre-programmed home energy management. The groundbreaking system will debut as a 1,000 customer pilot as part of AEP Ohio’s gridSMART Demonstration Project designed to put energy management in the hands of 110,000 central Ohio homes and businesses while also improving energy efficiency and reliability.

As part of AEP Ohio’s gridSMART Demonstration Project, 1,000 of the 110,000 participants will receive the GridRouter-based HEM, which provides an automated interface allowing consumers to pre-program settings to control home heating/cooling, water heaters and appliances to their preference and have more control over their energy consumption at the same time.

Battelle’s system also has the ability to manage commercial loads, distributed generation and distributed storage, while taking wind and weather forecasts into account for greater optimization.

Battelle will utilize the GridRouter to support its HEM controlling and communicating with smart appliances within a residential home environment via Wi-Fi, while communicating with a Smart Meter via ZigBee communications protocol within the residence. Additional cellular communications capability will be via EV-DO or HSPA, whichever is specified by the utility.

“It’s a great accomplishment when the world’s largest independent R&D organization chooses to work with you on a smart grid innovation of this magnitude,” said Stephen Johnston, CEO of Jackson-based SmartSynch. “As utilities evolve their demand side management strategy from load shedding to load shaping, all eyes will turn to intermittent renewables and energy storage, and products such as the GridRouter to help integrate them onto the grid so they may realize their full potential.”

Source: Battelle