2006 ISPLC Conference 2006 ISPLC Conference March 27, 2006March 27, 20062006 ISPLC Conference 2006 ISPLC Conference March 27, 2006March 27, 2006
BPL / PLCBPL / PLCA Market Perspective…A Market Perspective…BPL / PLCBPL / PLCA Market Perspective…A Market Perspective…
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The State of BPL / PLCThe State of BPL / PLC
Retail broadband offerings and utility applications have been Retail broadband offerings and utility applications have been implemented successfully implemented successfully – Broadband competitive with DSL and Cable offeringsBroadband competitive with DSL and Cable offerings
– Utility applications like Automatic Meter Reading, DLC, and outage Utility applications like Automatic Meter Reading, DLC, and outage detection gearing up for deploymentdetection gearing up for deployment
– Worldwide recognition of both applicationsWorldwide recognition of both applications
Regulatory climate is more and more supportiveRegulatory climate is more and more supportive– Texas provided the framework for the US, California coming nextTexas provided the framework for the US, California coming next
– FCC certification for US deployments beginning, other markets movingFCC certification for US deployments beginning, other markets moving
Commercial deployments are growingCommercial deployments are growing– Cinergy and TXU pioneering in the USCinergy and TXU pioneering in the US
– Europe and Asia growing everydayEurope and Asia growing everyday
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An Ecosystem of Support for BPL / PLCAn Ecosystem of Support for BPL / PLC
VendorsUtilities
Government Strategy & Implementation Support
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CURRENT Communications GroupCURRENT Communications Group is a vertically-integrated is a vertically-integrated broadband powerline (BPL) communications multi-system operatorbroadband powerline (BPL) communications multi-system operator
EQUIPMENT
CURRENT Technologies invents, engineers, and builds state-of-the-art BPL equipment and software that transforms electric distribution lines into a broadband network for data, voice and video.
EQUIPMENT
CURRENT Technologies invents, engineers, and builds state-of-the-art BPL equipment and software that transforms electric distribution lines into a broadband network for data, voice and video.
SERVICES
CURRENT Communications deploys and operates BPL systems for both residential and business customers.
It can also function as a complete Internet Service Provider (ISP).
SERVICES
CURRENT Communications deploys and operates BPL systems for both residential and business customers.
It can also function as a complete Internet Service Provider (ISP).
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BPL/PLC Market DynamicsBPL/PLC Market Dynamics
““BPL / PLC” is in the eye of the beholder:BPL / PLC” is in the eye of the beholder:– In-Home:In-Home: LAN replacement / Broadband connection sharing LAN replacement / Broadband connection sharing
– In-NetworkIn-Network: Broadband to customers / DSL and cable competitive: Broadband to customers / DSL and cable competitive
– In-Building:In-Building: LAN / WAN connectivity inside or to building LAN / WAN connectivity inside or to building
– In-Control:In-Control: Home appliance automation Home appliance automation
DSL, Cable companies driving “In-Home”DSL, Cable companies driving “In-Home”
Europe and Asia dominated by “In Building”Europe and Asia dominated by “In Building”
US more focused on “In Network”US more focused on “In Network”
Consumer electronics companies driving “In Control”Consumer electronics companies driving “In Control”
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Current’sCurrent’s BPL solution for “In-Network” Architecture BPL solution for “In-Network” Architecture
Carrier POP
InternetVoice over IP
CT View® Network Management System
Current NodeCT Coupler® & CT Backhaul-Point®
Modems at Premises
CT Coupler & CT Bridge®
Metro Area Network
Fiber or wireless backhaul
Distribution-Point
CT Coupler & CT Bridge
Low voltage lines
Low voltage lines
Medium Voltage Primary
Medium Voltage Primary
Current NodeCT Coupler & CT Backhaul-Point
Current Communications Group Confidential Information
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““In-Network”: The Broadband Services ComponentIn-Network”: The Broadband Services Component
CURRENT Broadband™ for Homes & Businesses
Broadband Data10+ Mbps
Truly Plug-and-playJust plug in to any electrical outlet
Low-Latency + SymmetricalQuality of Service applications;
Ideal for new Internet usage patterns
Instant Local Area Network All electrical outlets become ports for
broadband access and local-area networking; simple wireless overlay
and integration
VoiceVoice over IP (VoIP)
VideoVideo on Demand
Video Instant Messaging
IP Television
GamingOn Demand & Online
Features Services
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““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
CURRENT Broadband™ for Homes & Businesses
Four Key Smart Grid “Data-Ecosystems”: Four Key Smart Grid “Data-Ecosystems”:
Device Based:Device Based: AMR, DLC AMR, DLC
Transformer Based:Transformer Based: Voltage, Current, PowerVoltage, Current, Power
Grid Based:Grid Based: Outage, fault, vegetation, maintenance Outage, fault, vegetation, maintenance
Sub-Station Based:Sub-Station Based: Automation and monitoring Automation and monitoring
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Device Based:Device Based: BPL Enabled AMR BPL Enabled AMR Two-way, high speed Internet-style communications Two-way, high speed Internet-style communications over theover the CURRENT CURRENT™™ BPL infrastructure BPL infrastructure
Comprehensive functionality, includingComprehensive functionality, including– 15 minute reads15 minute reads– On demand readsOn demand reads– Remote software upgrade capabilityRemote software upgrade capability– Proactive alarming and flagging of “unusual” eventsProactive alarming and flagging of “unusual” events
TOU, CPP and RTP pricing capability TOU, CPP and RTP pricing capability
Gas and water AMR functionality under Gas and water AMR functionality under developmentdevelopment
““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
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Device Based:Device Based: BPL Enabled DLC BPL Enabled DLC DLC units concurrently installed with BPL AMR DLC units concurrently installed with BPL AMR units to demonstrate real time verification and units to demonstrate real time verification and quantification of kW shedquantification of kW shed
Complete two-way functionalityComplete two-way functionality
Immediate verification that unit was contactedImmediate verification that unit was contacted
Systematic monitoring of unit to verify availabilitySystematic monitoring of unit to verify availability
Systematic monitoring of unit and home usage to Systematic monitoring of unit and home usage to verify savings potential from shed eventverify savings potential from shed event
““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
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Transformer Based:Transformer Based: Secondary Voltage Secondary Voltage Monitors both legs of the transformerMonitors both legs of the transformer Allows for user-defined data collection and Allows for user-defined data collection and
analysisanalysis Proactive alarming and reportingProactive alarming and reporting 1% Accuracy 1% Accuracy Record by Exception (with settable Record by Exception (with settable parameters)parameters)
““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
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Grid Based:Grid Based: Outage Detection Outage Detection All BPL devices are managed elementsAll BPL devices are managed elements
CURRENT BPL equipment includes CURRENT BPL equipment includes “dying gasp” functionality which notifies “dying gasp” functionality which notifies back office systems when power has back office systems when power has been cutbeen cut
Algorithms and analysis can be done to Algorithms and analysis can be done to isolate and determine locality of outagesisolate and determine locality of outages
Outage restoration notification Outage restoration notification automatic as devices come back on lineautomatic as devices come back on line
““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
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Sub-Station Based:Sub-Station Based: BPL Camera BPL Camera Allows utility’s security organization to Allows utility’s security organization to monitor assets remotely as part of the NERC monitor assets remotely as part of the NERC 1300 Cyber Security requirements1300 Cyber Security requirements
BPL has plenty of bandwidth to operate BPL has plenty of bandwidth to operate camera in real timecamera in real time
Camera gives the utility the ability to zoom in Camera gives the utility the ability to zoom in on critical assetson critical assets
Potential user benefits (DVR, motion sensing, Potential user benefits (DVR, motion sensing, zoom, infrared scanning, etc.) are limited by the zoom, infrared scanning, etc.) are limited by the choice of camera, not the BPL networkchoice of camera, not the BPL network
““In-Network”: The Utility Applications ComponentIn-Network”: The Utility Applications Component
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““In Network / In Building” Worldwide DeploymentsIn Network / In Building” Worldwide Deployments
Electricité de FranceFrance, Europe
Endesa S.A.Spain, Europe
Singapore Power Telecommunication LtdSingapore, Asia
PowerCom Network Hong Kong LtdHong Kong, Asia
Energie Baden-Württemberg AGGermany, Europe
Turku EnergiaFinland, Europe
Lyse KraftNorway, Europe
Kuopion EnergiaFinland, Europe
Compañia General de ElectricidadChile, South America
Entreprises Electriques FribourgeoisesSwitzerland, Europe
Reykjavik EnergyIceland, Europe
Countries with CURRENT PLC installations
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““In Network” WorldwideIn Network” Worldwide Deployments Deployments
Switzerland- main city and villages in the area of Fribourg- over 3’000 commercial low voltage access users- MV technology used as backhaul as well as distance extension- strong competitor against traditional DSL and Cable providers- voice integration part of future project enlargement
Switzerland- main city and villages in the area of Fribourg- over 3’000 commercial low voltage access users- MV technology used as backhaul as well as distance extension- strong competitor against traditional DSL and Cable providers- voice integration part of future project enlargement
Finland- two major cities covered via Turku and Kuopio Energia- total 6’000 homes covered with PLC- backbone provided by local telecom operators- 20 cells backed up via MV technology for lower backhaul costs
Finland- two major cities covered via Turku and Kuopio Energia- total 6’000 homes covered with PLC- backbone provided by local telecom operators- 20 cells backed up via MV technology for lower backhaul costs
Malaysia- official Ascom partner acts as local integrator in strong relationsship with utility - countrywide PLC deployment in preparation / planification- complete End-to-End installation concept providing Voice and Data services- urban and rural areas to be covered
Malaysia- official Ascom partner acts as local integrator in strong relationsship with utility - countrywide PLC deployment in preparation / planification- complete End-to-End installation concept providing Voice and Data services- urban and rural areas to be covered
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““In-Building” Worldwide DeploymentsIn-Building” Worldwide Deployments
Hungary- 450 apartments commercial operation- 7 to 9 floor buildings with 4 apartments/floor- Deployment with 1 to 3 Masters per building - Wireless Backbone connectivity, Ethernet-bridge to PLC- Less than 2 months from project start to commercial operation
Hungary- 450 apartments commercial operation- 7 to 9 floor buildings with 4 apartments/floor- Deployment with 1 to 3 Masters per building - Wireless Backbone connectivity, Ethernet-bridge to PLC- Less than 2 months from project start to commercial operation
Hong Kong- High risers with average 30 floors per building 8 apartments per floor- More than 50‘000 CPE’s deployed- Multiple master set-up- 1 master covers approximately 8 floors- Optical Fibre Backbone to the buildings
Hong Kong- High risers with average 30 floors per building 8 apartments per floor- More than 50‘000 CPE’s deployed- Multiple master set-up- 1 master covers approximately 8 floors- Optical Fibre Backbone to the buildings
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Technology Opportunities Technology Opportunities
Continued support and consolidation of standards effortsContinued support and consolidation of standards efforts– IEEE P1901,1675, and 1775 efforts IEEE P1901,1675, and 1775 efforts
– Homeplug, Opera, UPAHomeplug, Opera, UPA
Further development in fault and predictive maintenance Further development in fault and predictive maintenance – Underground cable fault detection / signaturesUnderground cable fault detection / signatures
– Vegetation management / detectionVegetation management / detection
– Pin-pointing noise increases over baseline Pin-pointing noise increases over baseline
Continued improvement of chipset technologies to adapt to Continued improvement of chipset technologies to adapt to both MV and LV environmentsboth MV and LV environments– Noise dominated vs. attenuationNoise dominated vs. attenuation
– BUZZ vs. HISS noiseBUZZ vs. HISS noise
– Ranging over 2 - 50 MHzRanging over 2 - 50 MHz