2007 Global BPL - Utilities Moving Towards Broadbanded Smart Grids

It is important to realise that Broadband Power Line (BPL) is more than a simple access technology and because of this it is not necessarily competing with other forms of broadband access such as DSL and wireless. A key differentiator is that these other technologies end at the switchbox in the premises, while BPL delivers to every power point in the house or business.

Furthermore, BPL can be a third access technology after telecoms and broadcasting. It has a range of extra opportunities that the other technologies don’t have. New developments in Demand Side Management (DSM) with home automation and home management are opening up. One example includes Automatic Reader Meter (AMR) facilities (ie Smart Meters), which would be of advantage to both the utility and end-user. For more information, see chapter 3, page 27.

These opportunities have led to the focus of BPL changing over the past year or so; from broadband connectivity to smart meters on broadband infrastructure. Global warming issues and the emerging energy crisis have also propelled some governments and utilities to look at the national rollout of energy-saving smart meters.

Our prosperity and way of life depends upon efficient and affordable energy. Based on current forecasts, the world will invest trillions of dollars in new (conventional) electricity grids. These investments are simply needed to meet expected growth. However the production and use of electricity accounts for around 40% of greenhouse gases, making the industry the single largest polluter. Smart meters would allow householders to reduce energy costs and energy companies to better manage their network.

This meter overhaul is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to propel utilities to the forefront of BPL development. BuddeComm advocates that a smart grid is needed as it could save energy costs, be good for the environment, cut operational network costs and open up opportunities for new home automation and home networking business opportunities. For more information, see chapter 1.2, page 14.

The next step for BPL is to make the transition from the current trial status to the commercial arena, and this will require the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework. In general terms, positive developments on that level are taking place around the globe. But as with most new technologies, progress is slow with full standardisation not expected until 2008. Although equipment prices have dropped drastically already, the key problem in 2007 still remains the high equipment costs. While some relief is expected, large scale rollouts will not occur before full standardisation has taken place. For more information, see chapter 1.1, page 1.

This report provides an insight and analysis into the trends and developments occurring in the BPL sector, with a focus on Smart Grids/Smart Meters. A global overview of the progress of BPL is provided, as well as information on a regional level including North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Key Highlights:

• The telecoms developments in the utilities market have come full circle. In the 1980s the utilities started talking about DSM and looked towards telecoms facilities as a way to provide more utility applications. Twenty years later we have come full circle with telecoms (now broadband) again a focus of the utility sector. For more information, see chapter 1, page 1.

Smart grid applications