Date: 09/10/2009

Echelon and Eaton collaborate to provide Smart Grid solutions in homes

Echelon and Eaton are collaborating to provide a complete solution to extend the smart grid into homes and help meet these regulations. And also Echelon has announced a series of enhancements to its Networked Energy Services (NES) System, and its smart meters includes a Multipurpose Expansion Port (MEP) interface that can enable communication with Eaton's home automation product line over a wireless radio frequency (RF) connection.

The MEP port also enables utilities and electricity suppliers to communicate with homes to enable applications to help reduce peak loads.

"Eaton and Echelon share a vision of the smart grid that encompasses everything from generation to distribution to consumption. We are making this vision a reality with our new combined solutions by delivering improved comfort, safety and energy management, assuring invaluable energy savings linked with peace of mind," said Günter Idinger, senior vice president and general manager of Eaton's Electrical Power Distribution Components Division in EMEA.

"We are excited to partner with Eaton to enable them to offer a complete energy management solution that adds intelligence to the grid and extends it into the home," said Ken Oshman, Echelon's chairman and chief executive officer. "This collaboration exemplifies the flexibility of the NES System, and the innovation of companies like Eaton, who are making a difference in reducing energy consumption worldwide."

For more details visit www.echelon.com