3 Reasons Point-To-Multipoint RF Networks Work For Utilities

Our century-old distribution system has aged remarkably well, but the centralized, top-down power system with electricity flowing in one direction is now outdated. A 2015 Department of Energy (DOE) report noted that 70% of power transformers were 25 years of age or older, 60% of circuit breakers were 30 years or older, and 70% of transmission lines were 25 years or older.

As a result, our aging grid infrastructure can barely keep up with current requirements for power, much less accommodate the accelerating numbers of distributed energy resources (DERs) that have created new complexities that go well beyond the management of two-way power flow.

Distribution automation (DA) solutions promise to help utilities manage these modern grid stressors by allowing utilities to extend the lifespan of current equipment, lower operating costs, improve transparency across the network, and bolster customer satisfaction. But DA solutions also must be supported by the right network infrastructure.