San Ramon, CA — The ZigBee Alliance has made available its ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile — a ready-to-use solution offering utilities and technology suppliers a secure, interoperable, easy-to-use wireless global standard for developing products that improve energy management and efficiency for both consumers and corporations.
ZigBee Smart Energy was developed through collaboration between utility companies, product manufacturers and technology suppliers in response to demand for a global wireless standard for better energy management. It enables wireless two-way communication between utility companies and common household devices, empowering consumers to manage their energy usage more precisely. ZigBee Smart Energy allows utility companies to implement more sophisticated programs for greater energy management, and to respond to government demands for energy efficiency.
In May, the Alliance certified 19 ZigBee Smart Energy products. These products represent a full range of devices necessary to implement a wide variety of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) programs. All ZigBee Smart Energy products are certified to perform regardless of manufacturer, allowing utilities and consumers to purchase with confidence. A complete list of interoperable products is available.
According to the Zigbee Alliance demand for energy management systems has never been greater. Consequently soaring fuel prices and competition for those resources are creating a global energy crisis. Further, the expense to build new power plants has more than doubled since 2000, while growing public resistance for building more power generation or transmission often delays or prevents many new projects. With government legislation on the horizon requiring coal-fired generators to pay fees to emit global warming gases, the shift toward energy efficiency becomes more compelling and cost-effective. ZigBee Smart Energy provides an affordable and easy way to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile is available for free download by the public.
Companies wanting to participate in developing the ZigBee marketplace may join the Alliance by visiting www.www.zigbee.org/en/join.