http://smartsynch.

com/features/

Features At SmartSynch, we create digital, state-of-the-art smart grids. From start to finish. End to end. Weve done it for more than a decade and for more than 130 utilities throughout North America. We know what were doing and how to create the best possible smart grid for you. We also know that a one-size grid does not fit all, so well work closely with you to design your smart grid to deliver the data you need with the functionality you demand. Well create a custom smart grid that is fully capable of meeting your needs today and has the flexibility to meet them well into the future. Our advanced smart grid system leverages existing cellular networks and enables utilities to reduce operational costs, enhance management of generation resources, improve customer service and increase profitability. Our system also enables end users to more effectively conserve electricity. With real-time pricing capabilities, consumers can make informed decisions about shifting their usage to off-peak periods and contributing to local, regional andultimatelyglobal conservation efforts. Here are but a few of the features and applications that SmartSynch can provide to make your smart grid a reality:

Advanced Metering Demand Response Outage Monitoring Power Quality Load Research Tamper/Theft Detection Prepaid Metering 3G Applications

Features Advanced Metering SmartSynch's SmartMeter System facilitates two-way wireless communication with each meter, making continuously updated information available to utilities and their customers. All components of the SmartMeter are encased under the glass of the meter. Key advanced metering applications include: Time-Of-Use and Load Profile Data

Ability to collect TOU only or TOU and load profile data at a future date Meter memory to store both TOU and load profile data Ability to support TOU calendars with weekdays and holidays Support for up to four daily rates/tiers with 24 switch points as well as weekday,
1

holiday and seasonal rate definition Ability to handle customer disputes and high bill complaints Ability to retrieve historical mass memory data Data stored in the meter if communication is lost

Accurate Billing Data

Billing grade data Real-time and scheduled on-demand reads On-demand and scheduled demand resets

Accurate Timekeeping

Integrated meter clock Automatic time synchronization of meter clock with atomic time

Remote Configuration

Remote firmware updates Remote meter programming

Real-Time Alarms

Real-time outage/restoration notification Tilt and tamper detection Meter diagnostics and events

Real-Time Alarms

Real-time outage/restoration notification Tilt and tamper detection Meter diagnostics and events

Home Area Networks (HAN)

ZigBee communications via residential SmartMeters to in-premise devices Smart Energy Profile (SEP) compliance Smart thermostats
2

Load-control switches In-home display units

Interface with Gas and Water Meters

SmartMeter can receive data from nearby Badger ORION-enabled meters SmartMeter sends gas and water data to utilty via cellular network

Net Metering

Bi-directional metering for power-generating consumers (e.g., solar, wind) Received and delivered data metrics stored in the SmartMeter Monitoring of distributed generation for green credit programs

Features Demand Response SmartSynchs SmartMeter System features a host of demand-response metering functions designed to help utilities and their customers make smart decisions about electricity service, usage and pricing. Each SmartSynch SmartMeter can transmit timely and accurate interval data as often as every 15 minutes for intervals as short as one minute. The utility can then use this information to implement load-curtailment and real-time pricing programs that offer customers dynamic rate incentives for decreased usage at peak times. Demand-response information can be made available to customers via in-home displays, email or Web-based account access. The availability of such detailed usage data helps turn passive, uninformed consumers into active, informed participants.

Features Outage Monitoring SmartSynch's SmartMeter System helps utilities to reduce the duration of power outages by speeding up the detection, notification, investigation and restoration processes. The SmartMeter System features real-time notification of power outages via existing cellular networks. When a deployed SmartMeter experiences an outage, an alarm is automatically sent to the host system, where it is recorded and routed to designated users, outage management systems and field technicians. SmartMeters also notify the host system when the power is restored following an outage. With patented built-in ultracapacitor energy storage, each SmartMeter will transmit a last
3

gasp notification when detecting an AC power outage at the metering point. The SmartMeter will also notify TMS or other head-end software application when the AC power is restored. TMS enables the configuration of the SmartMeter module to transmit these alarms if the corresponding events last a specified minimum duration.

Features Power Quality Our Commercial & Industrial SmartMeters are capable of performing a variety of Power Quality (PQ) tests. The SmartMeter module may be configured to monitor and report PQ events based on the number of events or within a specified time period. The following PQ tests are performed by the meter and then transmitted via public wireless networks to the host system:

Voltage Sag Test Low Voltage Test (Sag) High Voltage Test (Swell) Reverse Power Test Low Current Test Power Factor Test Second Harmonic Current Test Total Harmonic Distortion Current % Total Harmonic Distortion Voltage % Voltage Imbalance Test Current Imbalance Test MIVS Reconfiguring Test Parameters Power Quality Event Routing

Features Load Research Today's smart grid requires expert trend analysis at every level, from individual end users to an entire service territory. With the SmartSynch SmartMeter System's load research capabilities, utilities can assess usage trends across the grid. This detailed reporting functionality allows for productive load research programs and helps to determine usage classes and rate structures. The SmartMeter module retrieves and transmits up to 32 unique instrumentation values from over 400 instrumentation sources, including current and voltage sources, for intervals as short as five minutes. Recorded events and exceptions with each interval are also transmitted to the Transaction Management System (TMS), which interprets them and logs appropriate messages.

Products Software The Transaction Management System (TMS) head-end system is a robust software application that can integrate SmartSynch SmartMeter data to key utility information systems (MDMS, CIS, Outage Management) using cellular networks as the communications medium. This enterprise software system provides the utility the ability to monitor millions of electric meters for meter and billing data, real-time usage during load curtailment events and meter diagnostic alarms. Now utilities can wirelessly monitor all meter points with a single tool, which seamlessly interfaces with their existing billing and meter data management systems and provides easyto-use, flexible automation not available with any other data acquisition package.

TMS manages all scheduled metering functions and is aware of all expected responses. If a SmartMeter does not return its data on schedule, TMS can automatically re-request the data. SmartMeters configured with TMS utilize push technology to allow the SmartMeters themselves to track and automatically initiate the transmission of data to TMS. This ensures that all data may be collected without requiring the additional processing, time and data burden. The intelligence built into TMS and the SmartMeters ensures that only the specific bits absolutely required to fulfill a request are sent over the air, thus minimizing over-the-air data usage. TMS supports the asynchronous nature of wireless networks and handles any latency gracefully. For data security, 256-bit encryption is applied to all messages exchanged between TMS and the SmartMeter module, employing a unique meter-specific encryption key. Ease of Use

Browser-Based User Interface Alarm and Meter Event Notification via E-mail Flexible Searching Capability Comprehensive Online Help System Import Tool for SmartMeter and Billing Cycle Information SmartMeter Grouping for Easy Management Billing Cycle and Customer Event Scheduling Automated Meter Registration

Software Environment Options

Operating Systems (Microsoft Windows, Sun Solaris, IBM AIX) Application Servers (BEA WebLogic) Database System (Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle)

Scalable Architecture

Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) Standards XML Multi-Tiered Development Architecture Standards-Based Open Architecture

Features Tamper/Theft Detection All SmartSynch SmartMeters can provide automatic real-time reporting of all theft and tamper detection events. Each SmartMeter supports a configurable set of real-time alarms notifying the utility's host system of a theft or tamper situation. The SmartMeter contains a tilt switch and can detect and report tilt events that occur when it is moved from its installation position. Once received, an alarm will be automatically routed to a specific user or group of users. SmartSynch's head-end application, the Transaction Management System (TMS), is used to configure specific filters in each SmartMeter for qualifying events, enabling the transmission of a theft or tamper alert only after the event is repeated a predetermined number of times during a specific duration. TMS can also remotely configure the SmartMeter to reset the event counter following an alert.

Features Prepaid Metering The SmartSynch SmartMeter solution includes the ability to forward prepayment transactions to the residential SmartMeter. SmartSynch currently collaborates with companies such as Exceleron, Smart Grid CIS and PayGo to provide prepayment solutions to utilities. Prepaid metering logic is available as an option with our GE I-210+c SmartMeter. The solution consists of firmware embedded in the SmartMeter which allows it to operate as a
6

stand-alone cash register and customer account repository. Once a payment has been made, the rate, the amount and details are passed to the SmartMeter. The SmartMeter then begins the account decrement process and recalculates the end-users balance multiple times per minute. When certain notification events occur, the user receives messages as to the potential termination of service. Once the balance has been exhausted, the SmartMeter automatically disconnects the service. The user can then add more money to the SmartMeter and reconnect service automatically. The end-user has the ability to make a payment by a number of methods: online, by phone, by interactive-voice-recognition or keypad, credit card, debit card, stored value card, gift card, prepay card, cash at the utility office, Western Union, MoneyGram or designated check cashing outlets. Once the payment is made, the service can be restored automatically within seconds if previously terminated. The entire process can be accomplished without having to contact the utility. This automated payment process can eliminate unnecessary calls into the call center and truck rolls for disconnect and reconnect services, thereby saving the utility significant expenses normally required for disconnected customers.

Features 3G Applications SmartSynch's next-generation platform for smart meters will support 3G wireless technology for use on all of our cellular partners' networks. The communication platform based on Qualcomms 3G technology will provide the worlds first integrated, over-the-air application portfolio for the smart grid. Our 3G app suite is designed to save utilities time and money by giving them greater flexibility and control over the applications they deploy in the field today while also enabling them to use the same platform to remotely download new smart grid applications as they become available. This unprecedented communications platform represents the first time that an integrated Application Management Platform (AMP), optimized for the smart grid and M2M space, will be used for wide-scale, full-system smart grid deployments. With the AMP open development environment, developers and designers can easily create innovative, new smart grid applications in a secure environment. These applications will enable a host of new smart grid objectives, including:

Advanced Demand Response Virtual Peak Power Plant Electric Vehicle Charging Renewables Monitoring Home Energy Management Lighting Control Voltage Conservation
7

Premise Load Management Distributed Generation Control Consumer-Focused Smart Grid Applications Prepaid Metering