Aclara introduces smart infrastructure network for water, gas and electric utilities

Sept. 2, 2015

Aclara has introduced the Synergize network, a fully integrated solution for gas, water and electric utilities that offers high performance and a low cost of ownership.

ST. LOUIS, MO, Sept. 2, 2015 -- Aclara, a supplier of smart infrastructure technologies for utilities, has introduced the Synergize® network, a fully integrated solution for gas, water and electric utilities that offers high performance and a low cost of ownership.

The centerpiece of the announcement is the Synergize RF electric network, which builds on the STAR® RF protocol and point-to-multipoint architecture for gas and water utilities. However, the Synergize RF electric incorporates features to meet the unique requirements of electric and combination utilities, increasing range while reducing latency.

Over a 15-year period, the total cost of ownership is estimated to be approximately 35-percent less than bandwidth mesh systems. As a result, the network meets the rigorous requirements of today's smart-grid applications, providing a complete network solution for any electric or combination utility looking for the best advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and smart distribution solution.

"The launch of the Synergize network is part of our strategy to enable a true smart infrastructure environment for any utility, whether gas, water, electric, or combination," said Allan Connolly, president and CEO of Aclara. "The network provides the information utilities need to understand and respond quickly to problems on their distribution networks."

The Synergize RF electric network offers industry leading features that are designed to optimize utilities' capital and operating savings while delivering high reliability and customer satisfaction. The array of performance parameters includes: improved range, lower latency, better read rates, and redundancy.

In addition to offering a complete RF network, the Synergize network brings together all the elements of Aclara's comprehensive network product offerings, including its Metrum Cellular® LTE and TWACS® power-line communications solutions. All of these communications technologies are controlled through the company's iiDEAS^® single-headend platform.

Aclara's headend software provides analysis and control, making AMI data easily accessible and actionable. It samples, stores and correlates data from many sources to deliver valuable insights that influence demand, service quality and performance, and improves customer satisfaction.

The Synergize network is bringing smart infrastructure solutions to utilities. These solutions represent a new horizon for utilities, enabling them to not only collect data via remote sensors located throughout their network, but also interpret the information to optimize performance, mitigate potential problems and ultimately improve both economic and environmental factors.