Cisco and Elster have announced that Elster will offer smart grid solutions for field area networks using Cisco's technology. The solutions will integrate the Cisco Connected Grid Endpoint reference design with Elster's EnergyAxis System.
Elster is licensing the Cisco Connected Grid Endpoint reference design and software development kit. According to the companies, Cisco's reference design will further expand the interoperability and standards-based optimization of the EnergyAxis, whose architecture enables smart meters to act as sensors for distribution automation and asset management applications.
Elster intends to develop EnergyAxis communications firmware that will operate within Cisco's 1000 Series Connected Grid Routers, as well as to leverage application programming interfaces from the Cisco Connected Grid Network Management System.
"Cisco is committed to supporting our customers' need for interoperable vendor solutions," says Lionel Chocron, vice president of connected energy networks at Cisco. "By licensing the reference design to industry leaders such as Elster, we are enabling utilities to combine AMI communications over a common, reliable and secure communications infrastructure."
