NEWTON, MA /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corp., a leading provider of flexible and scalable smart grid communications platforms and technologies, announced that it has taken its first step into the European market with a trial of its Power Quality Monitoring application and energy sensing equipment.
The trial is part of the Low Carbon Networks Fund overseen by UK regulator OFGEM and is being run by UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), Western Power Distribution (WPD), and UK Power Networks. The focus is evaluation of low voltage current sensor technologies and how they can assist the network operators in running their grids.
"We are delighted to be selected to participate in this project, as it represents a significant step forward for Ambient as we venture into new geographies with great potential," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient. "By deploying our communications platform with our internally developed software applications, DNOs can perform real-time current and voltage sensing, generating valuable data for the monitoring of their distribution networks and substations."
The Power Quality Monitoring Application is part of the Ambient Smart Grid Communications Platform, which facilitates multiple smart grid applications, in parallel, and can use a variety of communications simultaneously.
Roger Hey, Western Power Distribution's Future Networks Manger, commented, "Ambient's participation in this project, along with others, will ensure that we have a clear understanding of the technologies available for Low Voltage Network monitoring. This will provide essential data, allowing for greater visibility of the Low Voltage Network and, subsequently, facilitate smart networks."
Dave Openshaw, UK Power Networks' Head of Future Networks, said: "The predicted future growth in numbers of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and micro-generation means that Network Operators will need much greater visibility of power flows and voltage quality on our low voltage networks. We are therefore happy to be working with Ambient and other sensor manufacturers to help us evaluate the contribution that current sensor technologies can make towards meeting our future need for critical data."
About Ambient
Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient Corp. designs, develops, and sells the Ambient Smart Grid communications platform. The Ambient Smart Grid products and services include communications nodes; a network management system, AmbientNMS; integrated applications; and maintenance and consulting services to help utilities with operational cost savings. Using open, standards-based technologies, along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for their smart grid initiatives.
About Western Power Distribution
Western Power Distribution (WPD) is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West England and South Wales, and is responsible for delivering electricity to approximately 7.7 million customers in the UK. WPD is not an electricity supply company and does not bill customers in the UK. Its responsibility is to distribute electricity from the point of generation to homes and businesses. WPD is owned by Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL). PPL controls or owns about 19,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S., sells energy in key U.S. markets, and delivers electricity and natural gas to about 10 million customers in the U.St. and the UK.
About UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks distributes power to a quarter of Britain's population through its electricity networks, serving London, the South East, and the East of England. The company's 5000 employees are dedicated to delivering a safe, secure electricity supply to about 8 million homes and businesses via its networks of substations, overhead lines, and underground cables. UK Power Networks will be distributing the electricity at many venues for this year's international sporting events. They are also undertaking trials to ensure their electricity networks support the transition to a low-carbon future. Customers pay their bills to supply companies, but UK Power Networks delivers the power across their three areas. The industry regulator OFGEM sets an allowed revenue to distribution companies so that they can maintain safe and reliable electricity supplies.