ZigBee Modules, Gateways Support Smart Energy Grid Applications

A Smart Energy product family from Digi International includes ZigBee Smart-Energy-ready modules and certified Energy Service Portal (ESP) gateways built on these modules. The ZigBee Smart Energy public profile—the standard for Smart Grid applications—defines how a collection of devices works cooperatively within a network, enabling utilities to intelligently manage energy loads, monitor energy use, and optimize consumption. The ZigBee Smart Energy product family includes the XBee and XBee-PRO SE ZigBee modules and ConnectPortT X2 ESP certified gateway. Module firmware simplifies the work required to develop and certify a ZigBee Smart Energy device. The ConnectPort X2 ESP gateway provides the connection between a consumer's home area network (HAN) and an energy service provider over a broadband or cellular connection. Digi’s ZigBee Smart Energy products also expand the recently launched iDigi Energy wireless M2M solutions bundle, which features the hardware, hosted software, and services needed to integrate Smart Grid devices. The ConnectPort X2 ESP lets energy service providers deploy HAN devices that are completely managed by the Digi gateway over a broadband or cellular connection, allowing Smart Grid services to be deployed in areas not covered by Smart Metering networks. Once a Smart Meter is installed, the gateway can join that network providing programmable energy services in the home and secondary communication paths over public networks for enhanced energy service offerings. The ConnectPort X2 ESP was tested and certified using National Technical Systems' ZigBee Smart Energy Test Harness. DIGI INTERNATIONAL, Minnetonka, MN. (877) 912-3444.