
ST extends Gridspertise powerline partnership in the US
STMicroelectronics has extended its 20 year powerline deal with Gridspertise to take the latest European smart meter technologies into the US.
The two companies’ collaboration started in the early 2000’s with one of Gridspertise’s shareholders Enel. Now over 65 million Gridspertise smart meters deployed in Spain, Eastern Europe, and Latin America use the power-line communication (PLC) technologies provided by ST.
The latest PLC system-on-chip has been integrated in Gridspertise smart meters for Italy to enable a near real-time cyber-secure communication channel for in-home devices. Gridspertise and ST are working together to extend this Chain 2 technology to the US and other geographies.
Chain 2 technology improves awareness of the energy consumed and self-produced and simplifies energy usage through home automation. For example, the technology allows to recommend to the end customer tailor-made behaviours based on real-time data production from its own generation system such as photovoltaic panels.
It also enables the smart meter to collect real-time data on home appliances’ consumption, that can be used, for example, to modulate the charging power of an EV charger according to the available capacity and other demands for power in the house.
Gridspertise and ST are also working on ANSI C communication standard for the US market and the adoption of the latest DLMS-certified cybersecuroty standards into Gridspertise smart meters to further enhance interoperability and interchangeability between devices and systems.
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“Working together with other key industry leaders is fundamental to accelerating grid digitalization and to promoting an active role for end users in the energy transition,” said Gianni Ceneri, Chief Technology Officer, Gridspertise. “We are pleased to strengthen our strategic collaboration with STMicroelectronics leveraging shared best practices for the development of innovative solutions to serve an ever-increasing number of markets and bring benefits to new customers, starting from the U.S. where Gridspertise is enhancing its activities through its North American platform to better support power grid operators and utilities in the region.”
“As Gridspertise accelerates the growth of its business, ST continues to develop and contribute our unique system know-how, dedicated support, and ready-to-use solutions based on our advanced semiconductor integration capabilities,” added Domenico Arrigo, General Manager of STMicroelectronics’s Industrial and Power Conversion Division in the Analog, MEMS & Sensors Group. “We are maintaining and enhancing our connection as a key technology provider for Gridspertise solutions and services, and with them delivering smart and sustainable grids that are robust, secure, resilient, and reliable.”
