The smart grid firm that has championed using cellular networks for utilities’ smart grid projects, SmartSynch, has raised another round of $25.67 million in debt and options out of a planned $33.37 million round, according to a filing Wednesday morning.
While the debate between using public and private networks for utility smart grids rages on, here’s the perspective of Tropos’ co-founder: Most utility smart grid needs will be fulfilled by private networks, but there is still an important role for public cellular networks to play.
Last week we listed 10 reasons why utilities want to build their own smart grid networks. This week Stephen Johnston, the CEO of SmartSynch, lays out these 10 reasons why utilities want to use public (cellular) networks for smart grid deployments.
One of the first trials by a utility to use public wireless networks for the smart grid has now turned into a full-fledged deployment. Texas New Mexico Power plans to expand its smart grid project, which connects 10,000 smart meters via AT&T and SmartSynch, to 231,000 meters.