Metering.com 16 AUGUST 2016
Smart infrastructure solutions provider Aclara has announced its acquisition of Tollgrade’s smart grid business.
According to a release, the transaction includes Tollgrade’s LightHouse distribution monitoring platform comprising Sensors and Sensor Management System (SMS) software with predictive grid analytics, as well as a broad intellectual property portfolio.
The release adds that the acquisition represents another key growth initiative for Aclara following last year’s purchase (December 2015) of GE’s electricity meters business operating within GE Energy Management’s Grid Solutions subdivision. [Taking on the US utility market – Aclara buys GE Meters]
The takeover of Tollgrade’s smart grid business, and particularly the addition of the Lighthouse platform, will serve to expand Aclara’s capabilities in distribution grid monitoring, while the transaction strengthens Tollgrade’s focus on its traditional Broadband business.
Commenting on the deal, Allan Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Aclara, said: “This acquisition represents an important step forward for Aclara as a leader in smart infrastructure, and the addition of LightHouse’s platform allows Aclara to provide utilities with an economical alternative to other systems.
“It also expands the market potential for the smart grid products in the electric utility industry by combining Tollgrade’s strong, established relationships in the investor owned utility (IOU) market with Aclara’s leadership in the cooperative and municipal electric markets.”
Aclara expands smart infrastructure portfolio
The Smart Grid LightHouse platform is said to provide fault detection and location, power quality monitoring and classification of grid events.
Utilities are able to use the platform to monitor the health of the distribution grid, make informed decisions and reliably deliver power to their customers. Moreover, the platform enables grid operators to reach their modernization goals and incorporate renewable energy sources, says Aclara. [Smart meters: Aclara wins US contract for 3.9m units]
Erik Christian, VP of Smart Grid at Tollgrade added: “The LightHouse vision is to provide electric power companies a multi-application distribution monitoring platform, enabling them to run their network in a proactive and ultimately predictive way.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our Smart Grid business and LightHouse solution. Aclara is an industry leader, and joining Allan and the fantastic organisation he’s built will strengthen our technology platform and ability to service our customers, and will enhance our capabilities to reach new markets.”
Image credit: www.forbes.com