SilverSpring Networks

Smart grid technology has been heralded as a way to modernize the nation\'s aging energy system, allowing for more efficient use and allocation of resources on a energy grid that is more robust and reliable than the status quo. Silver Spring Networks is a firm devoted to the creation of energy network with open standards over which smart grid technologies can be developed. <br /> <br />Based upon IP network protocols, Silver Spring N... More >>

Smart grid technology has been heralded as a way to modernize the nation\'s aging energy system, allowing for more efficient use and allocation of resources on a energy grid that is more robust and reliable than the status quo. Silver Spring Networks is a firm devoted to the creation of energy network with open standards over which smart grid technologies can be developed. <br /> <br />Based upon IP network protocols, Silver Spring Networks acts a network vendor, creating a network infrastructure for any significant energy consuming device, through which smart grid technologies can be employed. John O\'Farrell, Executive Vice President envisions \"a world where every significant energy consuming device will have an IP address - your refrigerator, your pool pump, your plug-in hybrid will definitely have an IP address.\" <br /> <br />Silver Spring Networks thus acts as an intermediary, providing a platform over which third-party vendors and technology partners can provide specific devices or services that work over the network. Current examples of such include software-based monitoring and control applications that work over wireless networks, allowing utilities to meter and manage electricity or water usage, while consumers have access to real-time rate and load monitoring. <br /> <br />Earlier this year in April, Silver Spring Networks announced the formation of its Technology Alliance Program, a series of partnerships with vendors that provide solutions that are interoperable over Silver Spring Network\'s smart grid technology. Current partners include GE Energy, Itron, Comverge, EnerNOC, Arch Rock, Energate, Greenbox Technologies, Invensys, Cisco, eMeter, GridPoint, Itron, and Oracle, among others. <br /> <br />Silver Spring Networks has thus positioned itself well for the potentially explosive growth in the area of smart grid energy solutions. Several energy trends, including rising energy demand and rising prices, or intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power that require close micromanagement to avoid power shortages, all suggest that Silver Spring Networks is there is provide necessary infrastructure for smart grid solutions to be utilized to address such issues. <br /> <br />Silver Spring Networks also poses itself as an attractive investment, according to Dan Englander of greentechmedia, since greentech firms as Silver Spring Networks \"don\'t require massive capital injections for factory construction, the technology is available now, and the potential consumer impact is massive.\" Many venture capital groups have agreed, with firms Foundation Capital, JVB Properties, and Edison Electric Institute throwing some $70 million towards the company. <br /> <br />With many other smart grid-based firms relying on the proper infrastructure to be in place for their technologies to be used, look to Silver Spring Networks to be positioning itself for when the greentech movement sweeps the nation. << Less

All agree that energy efficiency is the best way to reduce costs and emissions but finding ways of creating the impetus for increased efficiency is a challenge. Of course, the best way to change behavior is to provide access to information, and Silver Springs Networks does just that. <br /> <br />Silver Spring is a stellar company. It has tremendous market potential, proven technology, addresses a significant need, and has strong ba... More >>

All agree that energy efficiency is the best way to reduce costs and emissions but finding ways of creating the impetus for increased efficiency is a challenge. Of course, the best way to change behavior is to provide access to information, and Silver Springs Networks does just that. <br /> <br />Silver Spring is a stellar company. It has tremendous market potential, proven technology, addresses a significant need, and has strong backers and partners. <br /> <br />What exactly does Silver Spring do? For utilities, it provides wireless networking and software based monitoring and control applications so that they can read electricity, water and gas meters and fix problems from afar. It will provide an important source of intelligence for utilities seeking to accommodate clean sources of power and new energy loads that may be created by plug-in vehicles. For the consumer, Silver Spring provides real time access to energy usage as well as rate and load information, so that behavior can be changed instantly. It does this by giving every appliance and outlet an IP address that can be attended to through the network. <br /> <br />All of this is provided on an open platform which allows plenty of space for other companies seeking to develop specific services or devices designed for use on this network. This includes companies that develop advanced metering technologies, energy management services, home networking, and software. <br /> <br />The company has attracted plenty of investor interest, most recently from Kleiner Perkins, which placed John Doerr and Al Gore on its Board of Advisors. It is already working with Florida Power and Light Company to create the largest smart grid in the country and is also undertaking projects with Pacific Gas and Electric. Silver Spring is making all sorts of connection. << Less