Minnetonka, Minnesota & Cambridge, UK – US-based Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) and Green Energy Options (GEO) of the UK have agreed to develop a real-time, web-based energy management system for the European utility market. The new energy consumption information and control solution is based on the iDigi platform and Digi X-Grid solution, a system for extending the power grid beyond the meter.
GEO designs and manufactures energy monitoring systems for use in both the commercial and domestic environment, with more than 1.2 million energy displays currently in the European market. GEO has collaborated with Digi before, notably during the development of npower’s microgeneration solution – a key product in npower’s smart energy trials. In 2010, GEO used Digi’s embedded modules again, this time as part of the pioneering Inov Grid project with EDP in Portugal. The project is testing GEO’s Solo in-home displays, which have been integrated with the Energy Box smart meter to provide real-time information and consumption awareness for the consumer.
Based on the success of these collaborations, GEO chose to partner with Digi International once again to work together in moving the European smart metering market forward. During the development process, GEO will have the full support and advantage of the Digi X-Grid solution – a development package that includes Digi’s Smart Energy gateways, XBee ZigBee modules and adaptors, and the iDigi Platform to provide secure, real-time access to devices within an extended grid infrastructure.
With this in mind, Patrick Caiger-Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GEO, said: “Digi’s expertise in the field of ZigBee wireless communications and its investment into their market-leading web based application framework, iDigi, make Digi our ideal partner in the energy management space.”
Daniele Cognolato, Digi’s Smart Grid Business Development Manager, said: “We are excited to be working with GEO who are already an established leader in the European energy management market. Digi’s X-Grid platform will enable GEO to move from visual display devices to complete visualisation and control systems – a revolution in their aim of making energy visible.”
