An initiative to create a unified AMI and HAN solution

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is collaborating with the ZigBee Alliance and the HomePlug Powerline Alliance to develop a common language for home area network (HAN) devices to utilise advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

The groups will work in cooperation with the many utilities already supporting ZigBee Smart Energy and will look for ways to further expand the smart grid by creating a standard communication approach between AMI systems and HANs, as well as a common set of certification procedures.

Development efforts of the initiative will center on expanding the ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile.

The initiative will enhance the capabilities of Smart Energy to incorporate new features, support ZigBee wireless and HomePlug wired devices, and accelerate the development and certification of HAN devices capable of plugging into the Smart Grid such as thermostats, pool pumps, water heaters, appliances and plug-in vehicles.

"EPRI's involvement in this effort will focus resources and bring together a strong coalition whose work to establish the standard for Smart Energy HAN devices will accelerate the deployment of the Smart Grid," said Bob Heile, chairman, ZigBee Alliance.