Leading smart grid technology developer Trilliant announced on May 28 that it had acquired SkyPilot Networks, a major provider of long-range wireless mesh networking equipment.  Trilliant delivers smart grid solutions that enhance energy efficiency, streamline utility operations, and enable the integration of renewable power sources.

SkyPilot’s patented broadband wireless technology delivers maximum bandwidth in a cost-effective, standards-based platform that provides 100 percent coverage.  Municipalities, public service agencies, Internet service providers, and utilities have all used SkyPilot’s system to introduce applications utilising wireless broadband technology in difficult environments around the world.

SkyPilot mesh networking is capable of handling bandwidth more than 10 times than cellular networking.  Latency is measured in the milliseconds; security is enabled from end-to-end – all using standard Ethernet IP connectivity in a cost-effective manner.  The solution is easily scalable no matter the required density or topography.

"As the Smart Grid evolves from simple advanced metering to a multi-application network, utilities are in search of a complete solution that reliably delivers high-speed functionality at a reasonable cost, regardless of geography and topology," said Andy White, Trilliant President and Chief Executive Officer. 

"Trilliant’s acquisition of SkyPilot will allow our customers to extend the Smart Grid to any device, anywhere, at bandwidth speeds and costs that are unmatched in the Smart Grid industry,” continued White.  “This increased bandwidth, combined with SkyPilot’s outstanding range and coverage, opens up the possibilities for advanced networking applications that simply weren't feasible before."

"With this acquisition, Trilliant becomes the only company that can promise high-bandwidth coverage to every customer and substation in the territory as well as a single view of the entire network," said Jesse Berst, Founding Editor, SmartGridNews.com. 

"That makes Trilliant the first 'future-proof' communications solution,” explained Berst.  “Once the technology integration is complete, Trilliant will have the most complete broadband solution.  And make no mistake; full broadband capacity is critical for the growth of the Smart Grid."

SkyPilot, founded in 2000, has established a long-standing track record of successful project deliveries.  Counting more than 500 customers in 50 countries around the world, Trilliant’s deployments connect more than 50,000 devices.  Utility companies are already reaping the benefits of solutions involving Trilliant and SkyPilot together.

"SkyPilot's proven wireless backhaul solution for the electric utility market has great synergy with Trilliant's products,” said Paul Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyPilot.  "SkyPilot products provide secure, private, Internet-grade wireless backhaul for Trilliant's SecureMesh™ advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) products as well as for all other grid devices.” 

“With our combined product portfolio, utilities can deploy a single network capable of serving the needs for both AMI and transmission, substation, and distribution monitoring and automation,” explained Gordon.  “The combination also helps to extend Trilliant’s already deep expertise in high-bandwidth, standards-based networking."

To date Trilliant has shipped more than a million smart meters and other related devices along with its communications equipment.  The gear uses the ZigBee wireless communications standard that is widely accepted within the smart metering industry.  ZigBee has gained in popularity because it easily allows smart meters to communicate with other devices in the home as well as automation controls.

Trilliant has taken the ZigBee standard to another level by creating what it calls a “neighbourhood area network” that links smart meters with community data collection points from where it is transmitted to the utility.

Trilliant Incorporated
1100 Island Drive
Redwood City, CA 94065
http://www.trilliantinc.com

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