01.12.2011
Smart Dutch; The first Dutch member of the IPSO Alliance
As of for today Smart Dutch is the proud first Dutch member of the IPSO Alliance. The IPSO Alliance is a non profit organization that is the primary advocate for IP networked devices for use in energy, consumer, healthcare and industrial applications. It already consists out of more than 50 active members from leading technology, communications and energy companies around the world.
For details on the alliance, take a look at their site
03.10.2011
Paper accepted by the “International conference on Computing, Networking and Communication”
The paper “A Wireless Mesh Communication Protocol for Smart-metering”, written by Daniel Geelen from the Technical University of Eindhoven, was today accepted by (and will be presented at) an important communication conference in Hawaii. This paper summarizes the outcomes of the simulation of our protocol that has been developed under professor Antonio Liotta at the department “Communication Network Protocols” (also see the former post “May 2011”).
26.05.2011
The Smart Grid is Coming... The Smart Grid is Coming
Smart grid technology is here, so how can manufacturers be sure their appliances are ready to participate? There are many different parts of “smart grid,” which includes all aspects of the power grid: generation (power plants), transmission (power lines, substations) and distribution (electric meters, and in-home devices), with a focus on enabling cost savings by monitoring and managing power consumption. The area that most affects appliances is automated demand response (ADR) and, for this, the focus is on the home area network (HAN).
Read the full article from Geoff Mulligan (IPSO Alliance) and Vint Cerf (Google) here
05.05.2011
Smart Dutch and Alliander present vision on meshed RF at CEPT/ECC workshop
Today Smart Dutch and Alliander gave a co-presentation about meshed RF. We were invited to present our vision about the use of meshed RF technology for smart metering and smart grid at a CEPT/ECC workshop. CEPT/ECC stands for European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations/Electronic Communication Committee. Their Working Group Frequency Management organised the workshop 'Future UHF Spectrum use for Short Range Device, RFID and Smart Metering'.
During this two day workshop approximately 150 Short Range Device-, RFID- and smart metering specialists, and a large number of CEPT administrations, discussed about the designation of more bandwidth and radiating power for these Short Range Devices and/or RFID in 2013.
Smart Dutch is happy to present a vision about the use of meshed RF for smart metering for such a group of interesting people.
Oktober 2010
Smart Dutch offers Hybrid module
When introducing smart meters the chosen communication technologies is one of the most important concerns. This technology determines which extra functions might be offered to the grid operator and the consumer. The most commonly considered options are by GPRS or the electricity cable (Power Line Communication - PLC).
"This is a shame though", Smart Dutch director Gert van Kempen says, "The wireless solution we have develop (so called Meshed RF) typically offers extra functionality that creates far more opportunities to really create awareness and reduction of energy and costs." In more and more countries the interest in meshed RF technology is increasing rapidly.
This technology works best when clusters are used. That is why it is a shame they are now only installing systems for the priority placements: installation of individual homes, renovations and new build or consumers that want to register the amount of energy they are giving back to the grid because of solar panels or cogenerators. We'd rather see the consumer would be part of the game and make a large scale roll out possible.
Priority placements can be made useful too though, Smart Dutch now also offers a hybrid system for this phase, a communication module that uses GPRS and Meshed RF technology. "When in the future whole streets are equipped with smart meters, these hybrid meters will also be able to function as a central point, where data from other customers can be collected via radio frequencies and sent on to the grid operator using GPRS," Van Kempen explaines.
03.05.2010
NOM investment officially finalized
Today the investment of NOM (Investment and Development Agency of the Norhern Netherlands) is officially finalized. Smart Dutch is very happy with the NOM as a new shareholder, since they have proven to really be able to use that Northern “Hands On” mentality. The mentality that a company like Smart Dutch needs to be able to push innovations in a rather risk averse utility branche. According Smart Dutch's managing director Gert van Kempen “This financial investment of the NOM in combination with the recently granted subsidy, gives Smart Dutch extra confidence, resources, network and visibility to help us further develop and position our meshed RF infrastructure as the leading smart meter/grid infrastructure in Europe."
September 2009
Enthusiasm all over...
The largest meshed RF smart meter project in The Netherlands, the Smart Dutch meshed RF project. An area were 100 homes are 'connected' to a single concentrator via a meshed module. This is our multi utility module with 15 minute readings forward and reverse electiricty and hourly readings gas and water. The concentrator is connected to the back office of the Grid Operator via GPRS. The readings are transported to the backoffice in the quarter directly after they are generated, creating a near real time system. This near time character offers opportunities for functionality like Real Time Pricing, web applications with real time graphs and options for benchmarking (via PC and/or smart phone), etc. The performance of the system is more than positive. First large analyses of statistics show that over more than 99,5% of all meter values are delivered at the concentrator the first time. The Grid Operators' enthusiasm in meshed as a alternative technique grows rapidly. We understand...
04.07.09
Article in the "Volkskrant"
Today an article about smart metering/grids and especially Smart Dutch appaered in the national Dutch newspaper "Volkskrant". read the article here.
28.05.09
UK consultation document
Last week a consultation document was released by the Department of Energy & Climate Change.
In this document it is made clear the [...] UK government believes the smart meter will both change energy habits in the short term and provide an essential stepping stone to smart grids in the future. They state the smart meter will provide a step-change in the information available to consumers helping them to save money on their bills and to reduce their carbon emissions. [...] Smart meters will also be a platform for the major expansion we want to see, for example, in the use of new and renewable energy sources, home micro-generation and electric vehicles in the future [...]
The current Smart Dutch system typically fits these demands of the utility for a smart meter as crucial part of the smart grid. The Smart Dutch smart meter offers functionality creating a "Micro Smart Grid" on itself being able to create awareness to the customer being able to add their individual contribution to reduce CO2.
30.12.08
Pilot upscaled to 100 modules in total
Within a month the pilot with 20 modules (as mentioned in the article of 28.11.08) is upscaled to in total 100. Installition went smooth, every module is connected to the back office within a few seconds. The involved technicians of the Grid Operator in this area are impressed. Next thing to do is keeping track of statistics, will the system act like in the lab? We are convinced it will...
02.07.08
Joint test project with Enexis and Eneco
The first nine test meters installed in a test district at one of the two Grid Operators participating in our joint test project (a joint test with 600 homes in all).
The test homes are in apartment buildings. The buildings have meter boxes, each with 10 to 30 meter units. The meter boxes are situated 10 to 25 m apart. Each test box has been fitted with only a few meshed meters. To enable good meshed metering testing, the client concentrator has been located in the meter box at the edge of the apartment complex.
<Update 18th of July: Smiles all around. After two weeks an average of 99% of all test data come in. 99%… we’re getting there!
<Update 29th of July: Good news again. The 9 test meters are replaced by twenty “real” meters. The first hours they work properly, 100% of the expected data is received in the back office…
08.04.08
Acceptance test at Delta
Today the acceptance / integration test of the 0 Series started at Delta in Flushing (NL: Vlissingen). We still need to make some adjustments and modifications to get everything perfect. But we are close. The benefits of having embraced the meshed technology are becoming apparent almost from the start. The system seems to be stable and reliable.
15.11.07
Vestia housing corporation
Innovative systems need to be tested, not just in terms of technology but also in the intended ‘field’. Since our system is a meshed system that involves clusters of homes/buildings, we decided to approach Vestia, one of the Netherlands’ larger housing corporations. The cooperation is established in the densely populated Rotterdam area. Vestia recognizes the benefits of the Smart Dutch system and responds positively to our request to help us field test our system together with Eneco.
17.08.07
Taking off.
Delta welcomes Smart Dutch
We have a launching customer. Delta, an innovation-driven Dutch energy supplier based in Middelburg (approximately 400,000 connections), wants to test the Smart Dutch system in a pilot project of 2 x 50 homes (3 connections per home – gas, water, and electricity). We signed the contract today. We are also discussing pilot projects with ENECO.
30.04.07
Introduction of a standard
The NTA 8130 guideline is officially accepted and launched in the Netherlands. Its official title: Dutch Technical Agreement 8130: Basic functions for metering systems for electricity, gas and thermal energy for small-scale consumers. [added 03.11.07: At a conference in Vienna it becomes clear that the NTA 8130 standard is beginning to be recognized across Europe as a leading guideline for smart metering.]
20.01.07
Oops
So much in life is about interpretation. The good thing about exact science is that it is exact. The trouble is, science also needs words to express its notions. And words are easily misinterpreted. We encountered a serious case of Oops today. This is what happened: The Smart Dutch system reads meter values every quarter of an hour. In Dutch, a quarterly reading is called “kwartierwaarde” (quarterly reading). But… when does the quarter start? At Smart Dutch we assumed that word meant: the value over a period of a quarter of an hour. However, one of our customers’ engineers told us that the quarter value to him (and his company) was the value measured at the exact quarter points of the clock hour. [added FEB.07: Well, the customer is king. So we modified our system – which, by the way, was a bit more difficult than it sounds here. But we managed to solve everything.]
10.01.06
The origin of a standard
And then there is a snag. Meshed metering may become a very big market with many different suppliers: How can we prevent that all kinds of different systems and protocols are introduced by different suppliers and end up with connectivity and interface problems? We have seen so many examples of systems being introduced simultaneously that don’t match. We need a standard to prevent this. The Dutch government had already decided to initiate a NEN commission to draw up the standard. The developers behind the Smart Dutch are asked to sit on the commission to help develop the new standard.
03.12.05
The pre-history... a request
A regular day at Waleli, an Amsterdam company developing innovative applications using wireless communication. A meeting is planned with Mr Wim Naeije, former CEO of Dutch energy giant ENECO. He puts a request on the table: Can you come up with a cost-efficient and reliable method for meter data transmission from (a possible) 7,000,000 homes to the back-offices of utility companies? The available existing options are either not reliable enough or too expensive. Waleli accepts the challenge.
16.11.2011
ON World – 500 Million Smart Object Network Devices by 2016
Smart objects that communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) will be the fastest growing segment for sensor networking over the next decade, increasing 450% faster than non-IP based sensor network technologies during this period, according to ON World.
13.10.2011
European patents finally granted and registered
Yesterday we achieved one of our, long awaited, ambitious goals. Both our requests for European patents on the “Meshed RF Routing Protocol” and the “Unique Meter Registration method” were granted and registered.
Ever since we started this process (some year or three ago) we have been sceptical about the viability of getting the protocol patented. How can a protocol, so obvious and logical like this, never has been patented before?
May 2011
Simulation developed by TU/e shows robustness of protocol
Since November 2010 master student Daniel Geelen (“Computer Sciences” at the Technical University of Eindhoven, TU/e) is developing a open source simulation of our protocol. He develops this simulation under the enthusiastic supervision of Professor Antonio Liotta (chair “Communication Network Protocols” at that same university). Such a simulation helps us to ‘stress test’ the technology without bothering consumers.
This week the first outcomes of the simulation were presented. It shows the same experience as we’ve had in the field so far; the technology turns out to be very reliable and resilient to disturbances; "The protocol is robust against node failure, and ensures that working nodes route around failed nodes effectively even at relatively high node failure rates. We show that the protocol stays well below the stated 1% duty cycle limit imposed by European law, even at peak retransmission rates. This leaves room for sending more frequent updates or adding new features."
Let’s see if we can get those outcomes in a paper and get it accepted by one of the leading international conferences
06.12.2010
Smart Dutch partner Smart Energy Collective 5000
Today the Smart Energy Collective 5000 officially started. This collective is a cross-sector partnership between 23 companies in The Netherlands (such as Alliander, Enexis, Stedin, IBM, Philips, Smart Dutch and Siemens) that is going to anticipate on future energy supply using open innovation.
Large scale demonstration projects will be initiated spread over the country with in total approximately 5000 residential and industrial connections. With this industry driven initiative Smart Energy Collective wants to create a head start over foreign developments and initiatives. As far as known at this moment, the Smart Energy Collective is the most comprehensive initiative in Europe for the practical development of intelligent energy services and -grids.
The energy infrastructure will be changed drastically, energy users get more intelligent devices, devices that will decide when to switch on or off based on ‘Best Time-of-Use’. By using ICT technology an energy infrastructure is created that, on crucial parts, has similar characteristics as the internet.
22-24 sept 2010
Smart Dutch attends Metering Europe 2010
from the 22nd till the 24th Smart Dutch will proudly present its (hybrid) meshed RF smart metering system at the Metering Europe congres in Vienna (booth M24). We will show a live meshed RF demo of our multi-utility smart metering modules and “Green grid” Web applications. There will also be a demo model of a micro CHP (cogeneration), that can be connected to the meshed RF infrastructure creating opportunities for decentralized intelligence and load management purposes.
01.06.2010
Smart Dutch moves to Groningen
Smart Dutch's headquarter is since this week located on the KEMA Gas area in Groningen. “Moving the company to the north of The Netherlands is mainly triggered by the huge amount of energy related developments and projects over here” says managing director Gert van Kempen. “We are convinced moving the company over here will get us closer to the ‘fire’, closer to some of the most interesting energy initiatives of the country. In a vast amount of the residential initiatives our new generation smart meter infrastructure will add functions that never have been shown before”
January 2010
Dutch Subsidy granted!!
After a few months of research and writing the Agentschap NL (part of Economic Affairs) granted our request for subsidy called “New generation smart meters cq smart grid”. This subsidy is part of the Dutch Subsidy trajectory “Energy Research Subsidy” which stimulates the research and development of projects where the results contribute to a more sustainable Dutch energy management.
Key Issues for this subsidy are Technological innovation, Sustainability, Cooperation and Economical (longer term) perspective. Smart Dutch scored a ‘Good’ on all four. During this subsidized trajectory Smart Dutch will add typical smart grid functions to the existing multi utility smart meter infrastructure making smart grid easy accessible for several parties, reliable, cost efficient and ‘tangible’.
Details about the subsidy and underlying plans are available via Gert van Kempen
21.09.09
Smart Dutch on Metering.com
Smart grids need wide area deployment of smart utility meters. Meshed RF technology creates local area grids that aggregate meter data and cut communication costs. Home displays bring consumers into the loop and encourage the use of alternative energy resources. read more here...
July 2009
Article in RaboCom Spring 2009
In the latest edition of the half year magazine RaboCom an article about bringing telecoms to the utility grid appaered. An article with focus on the smart meter as crucial part (and starting point) of the smart grid. At page 18 you will find an interesting list of pro's and cons of current technologies and at 19 you will find a textbox specific about the Smart Dutch meshed RF solution. read the article here
05.03.09
Households Appliances on Low-Carbon diet
Yesterday a nice article about smart metering and smart grids appeared in the Wall Street Journal Europe.
Writters aknowledge the [...] emerging consensus on European energy policy that every step possible should be taken to lower levels of carbon-based fuel usage, while minimizing costs [...] Solar, nuclear, wind, geothermal and biomass power, along with changes in the ways consumers conserve energy, are all needed. Forcing consumers to wait to use appliances until power from renewables was available would not be popular. But new technology can provide the capability to automatically shift much household consumption to times when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining -- without the consumer even noticing [...] Such a "green grid" approach would allow each consumer to play a significant and personal role in tackling the issues of carbon emissions, energy usage and climate change [...]
Smart Dutch can not agree more. Our system typically fit the new market insight were the smart meter is just a (crucial) piece in the bigger "Green grid". We are on the right track!
28.11.08
Pilotsystem officially passed the test
After a few months of intensive testing and creating statistics the Smart Dutch modules now officially passed the field test. In this test 20 systems (as mentioned below) with quarterly hour values electricity (forward and reverse) and hour values gas and water are installed and 'connected' to a single client concentrator. For this test the systems are configured as if the pilot consists of 100 systems to see if there are any obstacles to expect.
So far so good, next week we start installing the next 80 systems to complete the area.
15.04.08
Everything OK
The modifications have been introduced and everything has been accepted. Delta will now start introducing the smart metering to its customers and installing them. This means a lot to us. We’re on track!
10.04.08
Press release
Delta sends out a press release into the world about the pilot project with the smart metering systems. The company expects that the innovative system can be introduced in its network in the near future.
10.02.08
The Smart Metering Shop
Smart Dutch has joined a consortium together with CAP Gemini, Hewlett Packard, DHL, GTI Suez, SAP and Aspire Solutions. The combined knowledge, expertise and networks will enable us to market our meshed system as part of a comprehensive solution. The consortium – The Smart Metering Shop – will facilitate the rollout of the system and serve as the main contractor.
15.12.07
Marketing
We want to put Smart Dutch on the map. We want every detail to be perfect. We have asked the Amsterdam design agency G2K designers today to redevelop a visual identity & logo for our company and our product.
10.11.07
Prototypes ready, no battery.
The prototypes are ready. A few firmware modifications were necessary, but that was basically all. The prototype uses a P1 port and a RJ11 connection to provide a reading every 10 seconds. One of the major technical and eco-friendly benefits of the prototype is that it does have, or need, a battery. It will use residual power from the meter to store the most recent data in case of a power outage and to start up the system again when the outage is over.
17.09.07
It’s official
As of today, Smart Dutch is an officially registered limited company in the Netherlands, Smart Dutch BV. We now have a great product based on innovative technology, we have an office in the heart of Amsterdam, we have financial backers, we have shareholders, and we have a team that believes in the success of Smart Dutch. We are out of the Dragon’s Den.
10.05.07
Ready for take-off (2)
The proven concept.
It has taken our hardware developer no more than three months to perfect the demo into a proven concept. As we say in Dutch: “Petje af.” (Hats off). The proven concept will serve as the basis for the prototypes to be installed at customers.
05.03.07
Ready for take-off (1)
The first working demo.
We have completed the first two working demo systems! This will help us tremendously to demonstrate (and sell) the system to customers. We will develop the demo further into a proven concept.
20.10.06
“We are willing to invest.”
An investor is found! A Rotterdam venture capital investor believes in the feasibility of our new company and our product and is willing to back us financially on the condition that we set milestones and that a launching customer is found. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a mission! Let's get going.
15.01.06
A separate company
This is a massive development. It is also a costly development. Waleli are wireless communication experts. This is an opportunity to develop a comprehensive system, not just a communication system. “We need to set up a separate business.” Preparations are started to write a business plan and find investors.
05.12.05
The meshed moment
The available data transmission systems in the energy market mainly involve Ethernet, GPRS, and power line technologies. Our engineers have been researching meshed radio frequency technology and see great opportunities for incorporating this particular technology in telemetry systems. This is a decisive moment. We see those well-known inventors’ smiles on all the faces of the boffins around the table: Yes! Meshed RF! Bingo! Read more about meshed RF technology.
01.01.2005
A ruling...
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs wants 100% of all homes in the Netherlands to be equipped with smart water and energy metering systems. The development is left up to the free market.