SAN DIEGO, CA -- DistribuTECH (Booth #1533) -- FreeWave Technologies, manufacturer of the most reliable, high-performance spread spectrum and licensed radios for critical data transmission, today announced it has been selected for a fault circuit indicator (FCI) project by Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). By installing FCI's throughout the island of Oahu, HECO can effectively mitigate power outages or issues along the power line by detecting fault data and transmitting it in real-time with FreeWave's wireless data radios. This will allow HECO to quickly restore power to residents. The utility worked with FreeWave and its partner Power Delivery Products, Inc., who provided the Smart Navigator FCI sensors, to install a network using FreeWave's FGR2-PE radios for long range wireless communications. Deployment kicked off in late 2012 and will continue throughout 2013. Once the initial project is complete FCIs will be deployed across the entire island of Oahu.
"Our solutions are ideal for distribution automation applications such as FCIs, because they perform exceedingly well in challenging, remote environments," said Curt Goldman, utility market manager at FreeWave Technologies. "This deployment began in one of the most difficult terrains for wireless data transmission on the island of Oahu. The substation in the northwest corner of the island is extremely remote and the technology is deployed on a beach, exposing the wireless radios to harsh environmental elements. This was a location where competing wireless communication technologies previously were unable to receive or transmit critical data. However, our radios have performed well since day one."
In addition to the FGR2-PE's reliable performance, project managers at HECO have cited excellent customer service and on-site support as key reasons for choosing FreeWave for the FCI project. FreeWave's system engineering team has been closely involved in HECO's network deployment by working with its partner, Power Delivery Products, to ensure optimum network performance.
FreeWave's FGR2-PE radio is part of the portfolio of Ethernet solutions offered to address the needs of distribution automation. They provide simple Ethernet connectivity, industrial grade security, superior RF link performance, and integrated network manageability. The FGR2-PE also offers a second, switched Ethernet port as well as two serial ports to meet the demands of customers' wireless automation requirements. The ports enable a transition from serial to Ethernet data communication without having to replace wireless communication hardware later on, or operate both serial and Ethernet communication independently and simultaneously on the same platform.
"We are very excited to partner with HECO for this key project," said Ashish Sharma chief marketing officer at FreeWave Technologies. "Our solutions provide superior radio link performance over long coverage areas. Customer satisfaction is the top priority for our organization, and we will continue to develop our solutions with that in mind."
FreeWave is exhibiting at DistribuTECH and will be showcasing its wireless solutions for utility markets. It also will be offering a demo of this installation with its partner, Power Delivery Products during the event. For a demonstration and firsthand look at the company's latest offerings, please stop by FreeWave's booth (#1533).
About FreeWave Technologies
Founded in 1993, FreeWave Technologies manufactures the most reliable, high performing, lowest power consumption, spread spectrum and licensed radios for mission-critical data transmission. Through engineering excellence and a relentless commitment to best-in-class manufacturing, FreeWave customers enjoy superior radio up-time, range and the lowest cost of ownership available. Based in Boulder, CO, FreeWave designs and manufactures radios that are the leading choice for oil and gas, utility, military and numerous other industrial applications. Organizations that count on radio data communications for operational success—where failure and down-time are not an option—trust FreeWave for custom network design, system engineering and customer support that are unparalleled in the market.