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Was your boss too cheap to send you to DistribuTECH? Not to worry. We’re providing daily updates to help keep you current on the latest announcements out of San Diego.  Scroll down and onto page 2 for some of the news already out – and check back for more all week long.

I'll take some privacy with that app

San Diego Gas & Electric and Candi Controls announced the new mobile PowerTools app is available for customers to download on their mobile phone or tablet to check recent energy use, set and manage energy saving goals, and track weather patterns related to energy use. Worth noting, the companies say PowerTools is the first app in the nation to receive certification through the TRUSTed Smart Grid Privacy Program. The app, which utilizes the Green Button Connect My Data platform, is now available via the iTunes Store for iPhones and iPads, with Google Play coming soon for Android devices.

Note: Capgemini worked closely with Candi Controls on PowerTools and will be demonstrating the application in its booth #1513 at DistribuTECH this week.

Grid monitoring fast track

BPL Global announced the launch of its Grid Management Pilot Package which it says provides electric utilities a rapid, cost-effective path to implement distribution grid monitoring. BPLG says that its software suite integrated with industry leading, multi-vendor distribution line sensors will give utilities continuous monitoring of distribution circuits, delivering valuable information on grid conditions downstream of the substation. Downstream power metrics can be used for a variety of operational needs such as restoring service more quickly by identifying and locating line faults to improving Volt/VAR control.

BPL Global also announced it will collaborate with Corporate Systems Engineering to deliver next generation demand management systems. The companies say the combination of BPLG's software suite and expertise in deploying two-way load control coupled with CSE's control hardware provides utilities a straightforward path to upgrade legacy one-way residential demand response systems to next-generation demand management technology.

JAMES brings smart meters to the apartment crowd

Jetlun has developed what it says is the world’s first solution to help electric utilities with the challenges of connecting the smart meter to the consumer in multi-dwelling units (MDUs). The Jetlun Advanced Metering Solution, JAMES for short, is a ZigBee and HomePlug network bridge that connects ZigBee-based smart meters to the Home Area Network. “Bundled with the Jetlun Intelligent Management solution for energy, JIM, JAMES offers utilities a comprehensive energy management platform that understands the inherent requirements of smart grid," says Elsa Chan, Jetlun CEO and co-founder.