Cisco, Itron partner on smart grid reference model

A new partnership between Cisco Systems and utility equipment provider Itron, announced today, aims to create a “reference model” IP communications platform for smart grid networks. But initially at least wireless carriers appear to have little role in the partners’ vision.

Wireless companies like AT&T and Verizon hope to be able to persuade utilities to use public cellular connectivity between customers and utility companies. But many utilities opt instead to build and operate their own networks based on wireless mesh technology—and the Cisco/ Itron partnership plans to focus first on 900 MHz wireless mesh networks, Cisco and Itron executives told reporters on a conference call today.

Itron North America President and CEO Malcolm Unsworth touted the open nature of the reference model the companies are working on. Smart grid initiatives, he said, have been “long in need of a standard and this alliance represents a major step forward in achieving that goal—it will create a secure open IP design as a reference platform to be adopted by all smart grid vendors.”

Itron and Cisco executives said utilities have been seeking open standard solutions with the goal of minimizing the ongoing operating costs of planned smart grid networks. But “open” apparently does not mean “free.”

Paul De Martini, chief technology office and vice president of strategy for Cisco’s Smart Grid business unit, said, “The design is a product itself. When we use the word ‘reference design,’ it’s a design that will be sold to Itron and potentially others. The standards are in the public domain but the product itself is not.”

The reference model the companies plan to create will be based on IPv6 and, according to Itron North America Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Philip Mezey, “Itron will embed Cisco [technology] in meters and software.”

Cisco has been aggressively pursuing opportunities in smart grid networks. In 2009 the company signed a slew of partners with the goal of creating a smart grid ecosystem, and earlier this year the company released a switch, router and touch-screen display intended for use in smart grid deployments.