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Home Area Networks

The NES System plays a key role in extending the smart grid to devices in a home area network (HAN). Echelon’s worldwide partners develop locally relevant HANs that meet the needs of utility initiatives, local market drivers, and satisfy consumer preference. The devices in these HANs are grid-aware through the use of ISO- and ANSI-standard LonWorks power line communications, which allow them to reliably communicate among themselves. Some HANs use various wireless communication strategies, while others are no more than a single device speaking with an NES smart meter. In all cases, the NES System manages, monitors, maintains, and communicates with the HAN devices.

Full home automation may be a huge mass market one day, but even mass markets begin with small steps. A grid-aware HAN can be as small as a smart meter and a "dumb meter." NES HANs are deployed today to communicate with single devices such as gas, water, and electricity meters. HANs may include devices that display various types of real-time and historical customer use data; devices that shed loads within the home or building as part of a demand response program; or devices that monitor and control various consumer home automation devices through a relay. In-home display devices — a simple step into the home and the HAN — help utilities improve the consumer’s experience, differentiate within their market, and increase customer retention.

Using the NES System to extend the smart grid into the home lets utilities provide both regulated services (such as a demand response program) and unregulated services (such as security, safety, and medical monitoring).

Key Attributes of the NES System that Support HANs

  • Open multifunction expansion port for connecting to new and existing equipment -- IEC meters
  • Compatible with ISO/IEC14908 (LonWorks) networks
  • IEEE radio built-in -- ANSI meters (optional)
  • Built-in ZigBee Pro communications (optional)
  • M-Bus connection built-in for heat, gas, and water meters or other industry-standard smart devices
  • Software and hardware development programs for system extensions
  • Integrated relay for ripple control or direct load control