Chattanooga, TENN – EPB has signed a contract with Tantalus Systems
Corp. (Tantalus) to deploy the Tantalus Utility Network (TUNet®) for
their fiber optic Smart Grid. EPB will utilize TUNet for automatic
meter reading, outage management and other applications.
EPB is building a fiber optic Smart Grid to provide more options for
customers to manage their energy use while improving EPB’s operational
efficiency and reliability. Tantalus will provide the software and
communications equipment to operate an automated meter system for EPB’s
Smart Grid. EPB will be able to quickly and cost-effectively roll out
an advanced metering system that is also adaptable for future
applications such as Demand Response and Distribution Automation.
Installation is scheduled to start this summer at houses located in the
initial fiber optic Smart Grid footprint. EPB will implement a
1000-meter pilot test to ensure that TUNet is delivering maximum
performance for their customers. Within five years, EPB expects that
all of its 168,000 residential and business customers will receive
smart meters. TUNet uses a wireless Local Area Network to communicate
with endpoints not directly connected to the fiber network. Data
delivered via TUNet can be integrated into utility applications
including billing, outage management, forecasting and a host of
customer service systems.
“EPB’s vision for the future is a system that provides rapid, two-way
communication with every meter, home and device,” said David Wade,
Senior Vice President of EPB’s Electric System. “This communications
backbone network will enable EPB’s electric system to be smart,
self-healing and make it possible and practical for the company and
consumers to interact in cost and energy efficiency programs. With
TUNet, we can get more value from our Smart Grid by using it to
optimize operations, efficiency and service to our customers.”
Wade cited a variety of other ways that customers will benefit from
Tantalus’ Smart Grid technology including its ability to continuously
monitor and manage meters and other endpoints to deliver a reduction in
outages, faster restoration if there is an outage, and additional
billing flexibility to customers.
“EPB is one of only a handful of utilities to take full advantage of
the possibilities available with a fiber optic Smart Grid. It’s a
natural fit,” said Eric Murray, President of Tantalus. “The aim of
Tantalus and our technology is to improve the way energy is
distributed, monitored and used. Chattanooga has set a strong example
of how it will use technology to become a more efficient and responsive
utility while getting additional value from its investment.”
