Quick take: Echelon has taken a slightly different approach to certain overseas markets than many other smart meter vendors. Rather than sell under its own brand, it is sometimes content simply to sell the underlying technology. They make less per meter but they also risk less. The news below indicates the strategy is having some good early results, at least in China.

Echelon announced that its power line communications (PLC) technology and Control Operating System (COS) powered data concentrator module have been granted China State Grid approval through its joint venture Zhejiang Echelon Holley Technology Co. The joint venture has also received its first order for meter modules that incorporate Echelon's PLC technology for use in a 30,000 smart meter pilot deployment in Inner Mongolia and been selected for a pilot in Fuping county, located in the Shanxi province. The order is from Holley Metering Limited.

According to an Echelon press release (which you can real in full on page 2), the two projects represent significant opportunities for the partnership as Inner Mongolia is expected to add 10 million new smart meters over the next five years and the Shanxi province is targeting 10 million new smart meters over the next three years.

.

And beyond those two projects, the Echelon Holley joint venture has also sold its communications modules that incorporate Echelon technology for use in 11,000 smart meters in smaller pilot projects at 10 sites in five provinces.

"Echelon's strategy of bringing our Energy Control Networking platform to China via our joint venture and local smart grid partners is starting to show results," said Ron Sege, chairman and CEO of Echelon. "This is part of our company's strategy to target growing markets and lay the groundwork for selling multi-application edge-of-the-grid solutions around the globe with great local partners such as Holley Metering."

More on Echelon's strategy…

Echelon's latest offering: a big score in Asia

Echelon's smart grid strategy coming into focus... and it is NOT aimed at the U.S.

Smart grid China gold rush begins: Echelon inks deal

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.