(1888PressRelease)
September 25, 2009 - Aztech Associates Inc. was named as the newest member of the U-SNAP Alliance by U-SNAP Chairman Jon Rappaport during a special session at the Utilimetrics Autovation 2009 Smart Metering Conference and Exposition in Denver.
The U-SNAP Alliance (www.usnap.org) promotes a standard that enables consumer products to communicate with smart utility meters and each other. Aztech (www.aztechmeter.com) has increased its profile within the utility industry in the last year, and used the event to showcase current and future products.
“We believe the companies joining U-SNAP at this early stage will play a significant role in shaping Smart Grid device interoperability and communications standards,” said Rappaport, Chairman of the U-SNAP Alliance. Along with leading the U-SNAP Alliance, Rappaport manages Home Area Networks and Demand Response for Sensus Conservation Solutions, an Aztech Smart Grid technology partner.
During the conference, utilities reported that they offered Aztech’s In-Home Display and other Smart Grid products to larger numbers of customers in 2009, and plan to accelerate deployments as they gain experience. Some other members of the Alliance in addition to Aztech are Radio Thermostat Corp of America, Sensus, GainSpan, GE Consumer and Industrial, Trilliant, 4Home, Alliant Energy, Benton P.U.D., Celestica International, Direct Energy, Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro and Portland General Electric. For a full list see: http://www.usnap.org/membership.aspx.
The Aztech In-Home Display uses a sweeping motion and changing colors on their patent-pending light bar as well as audible tones to provide instant notification of rate changes. This permits utilities to offer energy information access to all consumers including those with disabilities.
“Utilities choose the Aztech In-Home Display because it permits them to connect with both their older installed meters and the new smart meters,” said Geoff Salter, Aztech’s CEO. “This provides customers the benefits of the Smart Grid earlier because it avoids stranding utilities’ existing meter investment.”
Autovation 2009 drew the 4th largest attendance ever, and Aztech’s In-Home Display was featured in a record number of partner booths on the Exposition floor.
Founded in 1993, Aztech Associates Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of Smart Grid products for the home. Its team of engineers is dedicated to improving the usefulness of the In-Home Display, and has developed special educational presentation methods for schools in areas where the devices are deployed to utility customers. Aztech Associates Inc. has offices in both Kingston, Ontario and Annapolis, Maryland.
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For additional information, please contact:
Aztech Associates Inc., www.aztechmeter.com, press ( @ ) aztechinc dot com
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