AT&T to Work With CURRENT Group to Improve Smart Grid Performance

WASHINGTON June 29, 2010 - AT&T’s mobile broadband network will work will CURRENT Smart Grid Distribution Solutions to increase its grid efficiency and system capacity.

CURRENT partners with companies to provide real-time distribution grid visibility, which optimizes utilities’ existing assets while using renewable energy sources. Its products include sensors and software that monitor smart grid performance with its OpenGrid utility management system and analytical software.

“Our alliance with AT&T provides utilities with the advanced and secure infrastructure to enable real-time data, which allows CURRENT to offer utilities the advanced sensing and control needed to reduce power consumption, increase reliability and improve distribution grid operations," said CURRENT CEO Tom Casey.

AT&T and CURRENT’s efforts will help utilities to better manage energy deployment and reduce the costs of equipment and maintenance, according to the companies. Michael Antieri, president, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions, said, "Our new relationship with CURRENT will help utilities move from their traditional distribution infrastructure into a truly smart grid model that provides centralized real-time data collection and analysis -- without touching the end customer and without relying on meters.”

How Smart Grid Works. Source: Nature Publishing Group