Quelle: Comverge, Inc.

Comverge Integrates AMR Metering Technology Into the Comverge IntelliSOURCE Platform

Integration Provides a Pathway to Leverage Both AMI and Legacy Investments in AMR Meters and Networks

NORCROSS, Ga., Oct. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comverge, Inc. (Nasdaq:COMV), a leading provider of Intelligent Energy Management solutions for Residential and Commercial and Industrial customers, today announced the integration of information from encoder-receiver-transmitter (ERT) based automated meter reading (AMR) meters into the Comverge IntelliSOURCE platform. Leveraging remote AMR technology from Digi International (Nasdaq:DGII), the ERT based gateway technology enables utilities to use IntelliSOURCE to repurpose existing investments in AMR meters and network systems to view and analyze real-time, actionable energy consumption data from consumers and participants of demand response programs that use intelligent thermostats and other smart grid technology.

"To ease the transition to the smart grid it is vital that the industry is able to maximize the value of existing investments," said President and CEO, R. Blake Young. "AMR infrastructure is a perfect example because with the correct Intelligent Energy Management solutions in place, it is possible to repurpose this technology and data to generate detailed and actionable insights into energy consumption. By repurposing that data and then seamlessly integrating it into IntelliSOURCE, our enterprise class software platform, the integration further extends our commitment to helping utilities transition to the smart grid."      

With an estimated 50 million automated home power meters in the U.S. only delivering one-way communication on electricity usage, the industry is still many years away from mass-market penetration of smart metering technology. To bridge the gap and facilitate a true two-way dialogue on energy consumption between the providers and consumers of energy, the extension to the IntelliSOURCE platform enables utilities to easily leverage AMR infrastructure to achieve the insights into energy usage required to optimize energy supply and demand.

"Comverge is a valued partner as it has a long history of developing innovative energy management products and services," said Larry Kraft, Sr. Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, Digi International. "With this integration, we have expanded on that partnership to ensure that existing investments in AMR meters are fully utilized."

Maximizing Existing Meter Investments

  • The new ERT based gateway technology extends Comverge's comprehensive portfolio of Intelligent Energy Management software, hardware and services by seamlessly integrating with the Comverge IntelliSOURCE platform.
  • By providing a secure and reliable solution to access detailed and actionable data on energy consumption, the IntelliSOURCE platform enables utilities to:
    -- Integrate Intelligent Energy Management solutions with AMI and AMR meters.
    -- Visualize data from HAN and demand response devices on one easy to use customer energy portal.
    -- Provide insight and actionable information for customers participating in demand response programs.
    -- Repurpose and integrate legacy demand response solutions with legacy AMR technologies to support the transition to the smart grid.
    -- Leverage ERT based meters for real-time demand response measurement and verification applications.
  • With the integration, the IntelliSOURCE platform now dramatically reduces the time and costs of facilitating a two-way dialogue between energy providers and consumers by removing the need to install AMI devices.

Supporting Resources

About Comverge

With more than 500 utility and 2,100 commercial customers, as well as five million residential deployments, Comverge brings unparalleled industry knowledge and experience to offer the most reliable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective intelligent energy management programs. We deliver the insight and control that enables energy providers and consumers to optimize their power usage through the industry's only proven, comprehensive set of technology, services and information management solutions. For more information, visit www.comverge.com.