Utilities Can Quickly Deploy LTE Smart Meters With the Help of Verizon, Honeywell

Verizon has teamed up with Honeywell to help utilities speed up and simplify the deployment of new communication-enabled, intelligent sensors and controls for the smart electric grid.

By integrating Verizon’s Managed Connectivity LTE solutions into Honeywell’s next-generation smart meters and other electric, gas, and water solutions, the two companies plan to drive energy savings more quickly by deploying smart electric grid technologies which allow consumers to use energy at the optimum time and help utilities manage and plan for peak demand.

“The Honeywell portfolio of utility applications and analytics expands with the new capabilities of wireless IoT. By taking advantage of an already built, cellular infrastructure, our utility customers can more quickly deploy new capabilities based on interoperable communications, allowing them to facilitate innovation. This means that it is easier and more cost-effective for utilities to apply analytics to plan for energy demand and to integrate emerging new technologies including micro-renewable generation, electric vehicles, battery storage, and semi-autonomous control into the next evolution of the grid.” — Ann Perreault, director, Connected Utilities, Honeywell Smart Energy.

Combining Managed Connectivity, which Verizon will offer as a service on its LTE network, with Honeywell Smart Energy software, hardware, and services, the collaboration will provide utility companies with a highly scalable, fully managed, open computing and communications platform to help them manage operations efficiently and safely deliver new services to their customers.

The Platform Will Include Features Important to Utilities, Including:

• Strong device identity and security
• Dynamic network authorization and access
• Device and application discovery
• Remote device monitoring and management
• Modem firmware and application upgrades
• Real-time device diagnostics
• Simplified supply chain and data access.

“Working with Honeywell on these next-generation solutions will enable the reliability and scalability of the communications needed to deliver smart metering, manage distributed energy resources, conserve water, and make the digital world work better for utilities and consumers. Our Connected Utility solutions bring connectivity and computing capabilities to all kinds of IoT devices, helping companies like Honeywell grow their leadership positions in the utility space and expand their business models into new market opportunities.” — Jay Olearain, director, Enterprise Products and IoT at Verizon.

The open secure edge computing and networking platform enables Honeywell to incorporate sophisticated technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning into its meters. The companies are also working to explore how 5G can transform the utility industry through higher bandwidth, faster speeds, and low latency, enabling advanced industrial automation and control solutions along with real-time analytics.

According to Verizon, the availability of Verizon Managed Connectivity firmware within LTE network interface cards and LTE edge server routers accelerates the development of a new and innovative digital ecosystem of utility-connected devices on LTE at scale.