Members of the team include GE Energy, Grid Net, Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless.
GE Energy will provide the communications network, Grid Net will provide the networking and metering software, Qualcomm will provide the mobile broadband chipsets that enable cellular connectivity in the SmartMeters, and Verizon Wireless will provide the communications network, which Consumers will utilize to remotely retrieve the energy usage data collected by the SmartMeters.
Consumers Energy’s selection of a cellular-based solution concluded a comprehensive process by the utility to find the best advanced metering solution for its customers.
The company’s decision to utilize existing cellular networks for high performance smart grid communications, in lieu of building and maintaining a private network, comes after extensive research and testing of available industry solutions.
Meter installation is scheduled to commence in Muskegon County in August 2012 with installation phases continuing through 2019 across the utility’s service territory.
