News

The coming weeks will see installation of next-generation load-control (LC) system in EKZ’s OrtsNetz project in Switzerland project. This new LC system uses G3-PLC communication between Gateways installed at transformer-stations and LC-devices installed at customer premises, to control endpoints like Heat Pumps, Boilers and Electric Vehicles. The G3-PLC communication infrastructure is supplied by Neuron.

The LC-system functions concurrently with the existing G3-PLC enabled AMI rollout. The G3-PLC Coordinator (nBox-SG) at the transformer station multiplexes both Metering and Load Control traffic towards their respective backend-systems.

The LC-devices are managed through machine-learning algorithms developed by ETH researchers. This AI/ML logic is hosted in a software container within Neuron's G3-PLC device and can take load switching decisions based on a variety of locally collected and remotely supplied information.

“We are excited to see this novel application of G3-PLC realizing multiple Smart Grid functions, namely Metering and Load Control, as has been done in this project by EKZ and Neuron. Efficient integration of renewable energies requires real-time control and I am sure this application will find additional adopters in various markets”, said Leon Vergeer, General Secretary of G3-Alliance.

“Along the innovation spirit of EKZ, we endeavored with multiple firsts in OrtsNetz that required a reliable technology partner. From having a ML development framework inside a container running in an embedded device, to its seamless integration with DLMS and G3-PLC, Neuron has proved to be the correct choice”, said Marina Gonzalez, Head of New Technology, EKZ.

“Participating in OrtsNetz helped us prove that G3-PLC Smart Metering infrastructure can be used for additional applications, we are very thankful to EKZ for that and looking forward to continued cooperation with both G3-PLC Alliance and EKZ.”, said Mohamed Sedjai, Head of Product Management at Neuron.

Neuron's 3-phase G3-plc nRepeater continues to be installed in live production networks at multiple Utilities. Used to enhance the range and performance of an existing G3-plc network in Smart Metering projects, the nRepeater is now seamlessly integrated into standard distribution cabinet.

In cooperation with Hager, the integration of nRepeater into their Smart Grid Module (SGM) is fully functional. Integrated with SGM, the nRepeater fits seamlessly into any street-cabinet with other equipment, directly coupled to the bus-bar. This removes need for customized space planning within the limited real-estate in these distribution cabinets.

The end-to-end integration with 3rd party Data-Concentrators (DCs) and Head-End System (HES) is enabled through Neuron’s own G3-plc (nStack) protocol implementation in the nRepeater device. nStack ensures required network scalability from each nRepeater through our industry leading routing algorithms that enable robust routing of data between multiple-hundreds of Meters. The DLMS Server in nRepeater is field interoperable with 3rd party HES to enable seamless integration with back-end software.

Working with Hager on this project has brought new collaboration possibilities for both companies which we will continue to explore jointly in coming future.

Neuron team is excited to share real-life field results from past weeks of nBox-SG, G3-plc that cover two important metrics:

• Scalability to manage ~700 devices and
• Reliability of network to deliver higher than 99% meter-read success.

The substation in context serves a dense neighborhood in Zurich region, serviced by EKZ. The communication network proved to be challenging for incumbent vendor device. Vendor solution was to install multiple G3-plc Coordinators, raising serious doubts for Utility, on technology scalability.

The nBox-SG not only automatically scaled the network to cover all Metering end-points, but consistently delivered meter-read success percentage higher than 99%. This success percentage is recorded for data-intensive activity of reading 15-min load profile, re-enforcing that G3-plc as a communication technology stands for scalability, data-rate and coverage capability to meet needs of present and future Smart Metering rollouts.

“We are very pleased with the achieved performance level. Neuron’s technology competence has been very helpful in resolving several unknowns we had at this stage of our rollout.” said Christoph Schädeli, Head of Grid Design & Installation Control, EKZ.

The nBox-SG runs Neuron’s implementation of G3-plc stack, a core component of vIoT® Communication Engine. The G3-plc stack is developed with design goal to manage thousands of end-points. Available in various licensing models and concurrent to managing G3-plc network functions and Meter reads, the nBox-SG is able to host additional Smart Grid applications to make it future proof device capable of handling modern-day needs.

Demonstrating maturity of hardware and agility of software algorithms, Neuron is happy to share promising results from field installations using PRIME based powerline communication technology. Over the last months, nBox-SG has been installed at transformers in various substations to effectively manage and read data from electricity Meters using PRIME. Some of these networks comprise a modest count of 50 Meters while others are as large as 600+ meters; all of them successfully queried for consumption data several times a day. The installations include both legacy PRIME v1.3.6 installations as well as v1.4 Meters

Successfully converging a network of 600+ Meters out of which 50+ are additionally qualified as Switch/Repeater/Router across various levels of hiearchies, underline the agility of control algorithms implemented in the Base Node.

Several months of operations in substation also highlight the Utility grade maturity of hardware which meets the strict safety and performance requirements of such harsh environments.

With seamless interoperability with both legacy-v1.3.6 and v1.4 Meters from any vendor, the nBox-SG provides a future-proof value proposition to users. While workign with present day Meters, switching to the more robust modes of v1.4 or to FCC channels is just a matter of software configuration

The field proven maturity of nBox-SG, combined with Neuron's licensing models and nBox-Tool form the core of development framework available to device vendors to build new generation of Industrial IoT products. To know more on Neuron's products and solutions, please get in touch with us.

Neuron today, released nBox Substation Gateway (nBox-SG), their first generation of industrial grade Gateway device, specifically designed with Utility grade maturity, ready for installation in Substations for Smart Metering and Smart Grid rollouts. The nBox-SG replaces its predecessor nBox-Gateway device which was designed for new solution prototyping and development purposes. Compared to the nBox-Gateway, the nBox-SG is a product for volume rollouts

The nBox-SG has several new features, both in terms of PLC technology and device capabilities. Supporting both PRIME and G3-plc, the nBox-SG device is capable of operating in both CENELEC and FCC bands by a simple software configuration change of the device. In terms of device features, the nBox-SG offers a variety of backhaul capabilities including Ethernet, 4G wireless and also Optical (SFP) port. Packed with dual-core processing capability, the device is capable of handling not just functions like Meter Data Concentrator but also advanced analytics

In addition for use in rollouts as an off-the-shelf product, the nBox-SG, comes with two innovative licensing models, specifically designed for device-vendors. With the Developer License licensees will be able to build and deploy their own applications (e.g. Meter Data Concentrator) on the device while with a Design License licensees will get access to all blueprints of the devices including hardware and mechanical design, enabling them option to either take it to volume production or create customized variants

As of this announcement, both devices, together with their licensing models are available to customers

Following the joint work between Enedis and Neuron, which was announced during 2018, G3-PLC experts at Enedis have developed an end-to-end solution for Street Lighting using G3-plc technology. Leveraging on the experience acquired through the roll out of more than 20 million of G3-PLC smart meters, and as a G3-PLC Alliance founding member, ENEDIS wanted to promote the usage of the G3-PLC protocol as an open, secured and standard IP connector over any device connected to the electrical grid, regardless of the application.

The solution integrates G3-plc with two of the most prevelant Street light protocols interfaces, DALI and MODBUS.

Running on Neuron's devices, the application bridge developed by Enedis works as G3-plc device on one side and interfaces with a DALI or MODBUS device on the other. The APIs made available as part of our Developer License of both, nBox-Gateway have been used for this purpose. The application is centrally controlled over the G3-plc Coordinator (nBox-Gateway) through a mobile interface. Extended application functions like for eg. dimming are also supported in the application.

The solution underlining G3-plc's suitability as a general purpose IoT technology will be available for live demonstration at G3-plc's booth during the upcoming European Utility Week show in Paris

Enedis and Neuron agreed to further extend their common work on innovative applications. As part of latest collaboration, Enedis has subscribed to Developer License of both, nBox-Gateway and nDevice. As part of this license, Enedis team gets source-code access of Grid monitoring applications and development environment to build innovative solutions based on G3-PLC. This will not only enable them to extend existing functionality developed during earlier projects but also provide flexibility to develop new applications using IoT oriented solutions such as the CoAP protocol over G3-plc.

"It is very motivating to engage with Enedis and conduct a joint work to develop novel applications complementary to standard DLMS/Metering applications over a G3-plc communication infrastructure", said Mohamed Sedjai, Product Manager at Neuron. "Neuron continues to bring interesting innovations and ease of use to their products which, when coupled with their deep knowhow of communication protocols, makes them a valuable partner", said Mr Cedric Chauvenet, PLC Manager at Enedis.

CoAP based IoT system architecture using G3-plc communication has already been developed and successfully tested in field. An optimized protocol like CoAP is not only well suited for applications using G3-plc but also offer possibility of wider acceptability of powerline communication as a complimentary IoT technology

Adding to the portfolio of various IoT protocols, Neuron announces general availability of DLMS Client across all nBox-Gateway product lines. DLMS Client application addresses a growing interest to use nBox-Gateway in Automatic Metering applications.

Available on both G3-plc and PRIME products, Developer License users will now be able to use DLMS Client on nBox-Gateway to significantly reduce development time for applications such as Metering Data Concentrator. Interoperable with all PLC enabled meters, the DLMS Client implements all cyber-security requirements including access authentication as well as transport level security.

With a webservices API available to user-license subscribers, it is also possible to develop applications that run remotely and interface with the DLMS Client across these webservices.

DLMS Client release on nBox-Gateway is a significant step to address growing needs of our customers that want to use the device in various use-cases including its use for test-automation in R&D.

DNV-GL Energy, one of the leading utility test and advisory companies has completed integration of Neuron’s nBox-Gateway with their DLMS test-suite, creating a comprehensive offering for testing DLMS applications over G3-PLC networks.

The DLMS test-suite running on a Windows PC uses nBox-Gateway as an IPv6 edge- router to address G3-PLC enabled single phase and three-phase electricity meters. Besides performing IPv6 routing, the nBox-Gateway also functions as G3-PLC network coordinator, converging meters into a homogenous G3 PAN. Thanks to the easy GUI based setup, the end-to-end traffic is seamlessly transported to/from PLC media from/to Ethernet/WiFi media.

With this successful integration, the complete communication stack is covered during testing, from application layer down to physical layer. “nBox-Gateway's functions of G3-PLC Coordinator and IPv6 router are complementary to DNV GL’s DLMS test-suite solution which targets on validation of the DLMS application layer and the COSEM data model. Together they constitute a powerful solution for the end customer”, said DNV-GL’s Bas Roelofsen.

DNV-GL and Neuron have also collaborated in past to build the PRIME specification conformance tool for version 1.4, now in use by all test-labs engaged in PRIME certification

Neuron achieved multiple industry firsts earlier this week when we successfully completed a field installation of G3-plc enabled grid-analytics devices. The network is now part of ENEDIS' (old name ErDF) operational Linky deployment in Ottmarsheim (France). The G3-plc FCC devices connect current sensors installed at various distribution cabinets in field. Their remote monitoring over G3 network enables ENEDIS to improve the way they monitor their LV networks

The installation operates in FCC frequency band, which not only ensures that there is no overlap with existing metering deployment (operating in CENELEC A band), but also provides higher data-rate. This would be one of the first real world FCC band installation.

In addition to operating on FCC band, the network, uses CoAP, one of the de-facto IoT protocols, to exchange messages and data between device end-points and the network Coordinator (nBox-Gateway). The choice of CoAP ensures minimal protocol overhead and maximimzes granularity with which grid-analytics data is collected from the endpoints. In a first of its kind, both, the device endpoints and the coordinator implement a complete IoT stack comprising of 6LoWPAN and CoAP, on top of G3-PLC MAC and PHY layers. Both the Coordinator and device-endpoint run Neuron's nStack

"Neuron provides a very specialized level of PLC protocol expertize", said Ms Helene Pulce, Head of PLC technology group at ENEDIS "Combined together with their IoT knowhow and flexible working model, they make a good partner for our innovation projects".

"We are extremely proud to be selected by ENEDIS for this pioneer project and look forward to continue providing them with quantifiable value in future. As IoT gains traction, G3-plc will form one of the cornerstone technologies for realizing IoT in coming months and years", said Mr Mohamed Sedjai, Head of Products at Neuron.

Neuron is proud to provide background technology that powers the next generation conformance test tool for PRIME v1.4. Developed in collaboration with DNV-GL, the test-tool is now made available to PRIME Alliance accredited certification labs.

In a first of its kind, the tool implements a web-based management and control interface that enables administration from any authenticated web-browser running on laptops, tablets or any other handheld device.

The news announcement on PRIME Alliance website (here) provides further details.

Linky rollout started earlier this month and targets to install a total of 35 million Smart Meters by 2021, majority of which would communicate using G3-plc technology. G3-plc field tests have been carried out using Neuron's nBox-Tool for field diagnostics. Working with ErDF's Linky teams, the G3-plc nBox-Tool has been customized for usage by field engineers such that it would be part of their standard field-kit. The device will continue to extend functionality through the new use-cases discovered during its use in the Linky rollout, therefore further asserting its position as the most practical and mature solution available in market for use by field engineers.

In addition to its usage by ErDF in actual rollout, nBox-Tool is also the default tool of choice used by most vendors selected for supply of equipment to the Linky G3-plc deployments. The usage scenario includes use by R&D teams during development, by test-teams during validation and by production teams for quality approval of manufactured lots.

nBox-Tool is Neuron's industry leading debug and analysis tool that offers multiple functions of data-logging, packet analysis, network diagnostics, conformance checks, etc, made available over an intuitive GUI with interface through both desktop and mobile devices.