Tom Casey, CURRENT: AT&T Offers Smart Grid Distribution Solutions

June 28, 2010

AT&T is extending its reach with smart grid solutions for utilities throughout the United States with a new agreement with CURRENT Group.

AT&T will offer CURRENT Smart Grid Distribution Solutions, which help utilities increase grid efficiency and system capacity by managing demand dynamically and reducing power delivery losses. CURRENT’s solutions includes intelligent sensors and analytical software that monitor distribution grid performance; its OpenGrid utility element management system; and its System Optimization and Reliability analytical software solutions. AT&T’s suite of M2M pricing plans designed specifically for the smart grid market makes this solution an economical choice for utilities.

The agreement between AT&T and CURRENT provides utilities with an integrated solution that includes the breadth of AT&T’s managed and network services, combined with AT&T’s mobile broadband network. Having an integrated solution helps utilities to streamline deployment and reduces equipment and maintenance costs.

“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,” said Michael Antieri, President, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. “We continue to focus on broadening our capabilities with smart grid technology, helping businesses and organizations to use wireless technology to streamline their processes and provide real-time monitoring of energy assets.”

“CURRENT offers its utility customers a broad range of communications technologies with the world’s most trusted providers. This allows utilities to implement their Smart Grid programs quickly, affordably and reliably. 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 offers a range of strategic mobility products and services to the utility industry, including wireless solutions for field service workers, outage detection and remote monitoring for automated metering infrastructure. AT&T’s dedicated team of industry specialists understands the business process from end to end and translates technical solutions into meaningful business value for customers.

CURRENT’s innovative and industry-leading solutions deliver consumer-less energy efficiency through load reduction, improved grid operations, and helps speed the integration and management of renewable energy sources. These solutions can be deployed cost-effectively without large capital expenditures and no retrofitting. Through its dynamic measurement and verification capabilities, CURRENT’s solutions enable utilities to prove energy savings and carbon emission reductions, critical for regulatory compliance and proof of value.

The joint solution offered by AT&T and CURRENT is immediately available throughout North America.