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Full Press Release Title: CenterPoint Energy and IBM Examine Innovative Ways to Use Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Technology
Technology Center and Limited Pilot Program Assess Potential to Deliver Broadband Services Over Power Lines
HOUSTON, July 11-- CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s electric transmission and distribution
subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, and IBM are
working together to explore broadband over power line (BPL) technology.
CenterPoint Energy has opened a BPL technology center at one of its
facilities in Houston to examine uses of BPL technology for consumers
as well as utility companies. In addition, CenterPoint Energy has
launched a limited pilot program designed to demonstrate the
capabilities of BPL in the home to Houston-area consumers. BPL
technology is an innovative way to provide broadband services to
customers, while at the same time enhancing electric delivery system
reliability. An exciting aspect of this technology is a customer's
ability to access, through a BPL modem, high-speed broadband Internet
services over existing electric power lines with their computer that is
simply plugged into any electric outlet in their home. "This
is an exciting technology to explore. We believe BPL has the potential
to enhance existing electric delivery systems through the development
of 'smart grid' technologies, such as automated meter reading, real
time system monitoring, preventive maintenance, outage detection and
restoration, as well as other potential applications," said Don Cortez,
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric vice president responsible for BPL
Development. "These 'smart grid' technologies should result in improved
system reliability, service and safety for electric customers." BPL
has the potential to provide faster, more reliable Internet service and
eliminate the need for communication wiring of homes, which is required
for DSL or cable. This provides customers greater flexibility for using
the Internet along with other sophisticated technology services. Those
services, among others, could include Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP), Video on Demand (VOD), home environment management and security
monitoring services. "Broadband over power lines is
an emerging technology, which will positively impact the utilities and
broadband marketplace. It is one of several technologies that can help
create what we call the intelligent utility network, where energy is
delivered, monitored and managed in real-time, on demand," said Bernie
Hoecker, vice president, IBM Energy & Utilities Industry. "IBM's
work with CenterPoint Energy on the BPL technology center and the pilot
program in Houston is a prime example of partnering to innovate." This
technology is being used today in Europe and many other parts of the
world. In the United States, a number of utilities, including
CenterPoint Energy, have launched limited pilot programs to field test
BPL. CenterPoint Energy's pilot program, utilizing second generation
technology, provides BPL service to an area containing approximately
220 homes in southwest Houston. This pilot program, in which up to 50
residents can participate, will run through August 2005. At the
conclusion of the pilot, IBM will help CenterPoint Energy assess
customer satisfaction and the lessons learned from the pilot, and
CenterPoint Energy will evaluate the potential for BPL market
deployment. President George W. Bush -- who has
expressed his hope for universal, affordable broadband access by 2007
-- and state regulators across the nation are working to encourage
deployment of broadband services, and specifically BPL. Since BPL
technology uses existing electric power lines, it has the potential to
reach every customer that is connected to the electric delivery grid --
a marked advantage over cable and DSL broadband. A
select group of technology companies are teaming with CenterPoint
Energy and IBM on both the BPL technology center and the pilot,
including IDACOMM, Amperion, Broadband Energy, Cisco, Itron, Mitsubishi
and PCPC. IBM has tapped its wide range of energy
industry and technology experts, as well as leading hardware and
software, for both projects. For the BPL technology center, IBM Global
Services assisted in the design, build and implementation of the
center's technology infrastructure, displays and demonstrations, which
utilize IBM xSeries servers, PCs, IBM wireless solutions and IBM Kiosk
technology. For the pilot program, IBM is providing project management
and support as well as ongoing assessment and monitoring of equipment
usage.
Source: IBM Press Release
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