Acorn business gets electric grid management contract

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GridSense, an Acorn Energy company that develops and markets advanced monitoring solutions for the electric power industry, announced the sale of 500 TransformerIQ advanced monitoring units to a major California utility.

Energetic
boeke / Foter

Acorn, based in Montchanin, Del., invests in fast-growing energy management companies.
The 500 TransformerIQ devices will be used to monitor and secure   data from overhead and underground transformers dispersed throughout the utility’s residential distribution grid.

The order represents a nearly $1 million first sale for this new product, and will be processed and shipped in the fourth quarter.
The ultimate sales volume with this utility could, over time, approach over 100,000 units across their network.
“This sale is an integral part of the ongoing relationship we are developing with this major California utility,” said Lindon Shiao, chief executive of GridSense. “The general public often equates the controversial smart meter on their home with the term smart grid. In fact, sophisticated Distribution Automation (DA) devices like Transformer strategically placed throughout the network are really what the grid needs to become smarter. These devices can yield large economic benefits, similar to those of energy efficiency programs, but without requiring 300 million Americans to change their daily habits.”
Greentech Media recently released a report stating, “Because automation of distribution systems, substations, and transmission grids offers more rapid and greater return on investments than smart meter programs, we believe that the DA market represents the greatest opportunity to reap the benefits of the smart grid.”
John Moore, CEO of Acorn Energy stated, “I am very excited about how Lindon has positioned GridSense and with the Big Brother alliances he has developed to break into this new market. This utility is known as an early adopter and integrator of novel smart grid technologies. We take great pride in our developing relationship with this marquee customer. The biggest surprise to economic forecasters is going to be the impact of digital energy technologies like TransformerIQ.”

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