FCC Ponders Dedicated Bandwidth for Smart Grid

Summary: At hearings relating to its broadband initiative, the Federal Communications Commission heard power executives say that utilities need a dedicated chunk of bandwidth to use for the Smart Grid. Among those arguing for Smart-Grid specific bandwidth were Jason Griffith of American Electric Power, a leading power producer; Eric Miller of Trilliant, a Smart Grid hardware and wireless communications company; and Joby Lafky of GridPoint, a Smart Grid software company. Not everyone agreed, however. Expressing the minority view was Henry Jones of SmartSynch, a company that uses IP over existing wireless networks for its metering products.  Jones opined that utilities already have access to multiple Smart Grid broadband networks.

Full Story: As part of a workshop exploring the relationship between broadband technology and Smart Grid deployments, the FCC got an earful from some utilities, who want the federal commission to dedicate a chunk of broadband spectrum to Smart Grid use.

The AMI component of Smart Grid installations consists of two-way communications between customers and utilities as well as between utilities and distribution equipment.

But does that technology need dedicated bandwidth to do the job?  The answer was a decided yes from American Electric Power’s Jason Griffith. “Dedicated licensed spectrum is sorely needed by utilities,” he said, according to a story in Earth2Tech.

Taking a similar position was Eric Miller of Trilliant, a Smart Grid hardware and wireless communications company. Relying on the cellular spectrum for all Smart Grid applications simply won’t fill the bill, he explained.

Presenting a contrary point of view was Henry Jones of Smart Synch, a company whose metering products uses IP over existing wireless networks. “Allocating scarce resources just for utility purposes is not necessary," he said in a story in a story by Ars Technica. "We already have multiple smart grid broadband networks available."

Griffith disputed that, pointing out the number of dropped calls even in big cities, not to mention the lack of cellular service in some areas of the Midwest that AEP serves.

Joby Lafky of GridPoint, a Smart Grid software company, agreed. He pointed out that plugin electric vehicles are expected to proliferate in coming years, requiring Smart Grid technology to adjust rates and charging times to compensate for the demand on the grid.

   Ars Technica report

   Earth2Tech story

   SGN story on FCC and the Smart Grid