MORGAN HILL, Calif., Aug. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The OpenADR Alliance today announced the first OpenADR 2.0b-certified devices from a number of member companies, including: AutoGrid, EnerNOC, Fujitsu, Honeywell and IPKeys Technologies. The OpenADR 2.0b Profile Specification released in July of this year, is a full-feature specification for complex energy management solutions supporting automated demand response (ADR) and distributed energy resource (DER) management for both wholesale and retail programs. ADR programs enable customers to reduce their energy usage during times of peak demand, high wholesale market prices or grid stress. The OpenADR standard is rapidly becoming the international solution of choice for residential, commercial and industrial ADR programs. Several utilities and controls vendors have deployed OpenADR 1.0-based systems, both in the United States and internationally, and many more are planning or implementing OpenADR 2.0-based DR programs.
"The Alliance would like to congratulate AutoGrid, EnerNOC, Fujitsu, Honeywell and IPKeys Technologies on being the first companies to complete the 2.0b certification process; this is a major milestone in addressing the global market requirements for automated demand response programs," said Barry Haaser, managing director, OpenADR Alliance. "In the coming months, we expect the availability of many more OpenADR 2.0b certified products to enable independent system operators, utilities and aggregators to increase customer participation in their ADR programs."
The first OpenADR 2.0b products were tested and certified during a test event at Intertek, the OpenADR test authority for compliance with the OpenADR 2.0b profile specification using a test tool, developed by QualityLogic. OpenADR 2.0 uses the concept of virtual top nodes (VTNs) to offer "Market Contexts" to virtual end nodes (VENs), or DR resources. Typical VTNs might include utilities, ISOs, or aggregators, but could also be energy management systems controlling smaller loads. By completing this test event, the OpenADR Alliance also kicks off its certification program for the new specification.
The OpenADR 2.0b Profile Specification (2.0b) builds upon the OpenADR 2.0a Profile Specification (2.0a) released in August 2012 for simple devices such as thermostats, and adds enhanced DR event and price scheduling, robust reporting services, and a number of operational and administrative updates to simplify customer participation management and system registration.
About the OpenADR Alliance
The OpenADR Alliance fosters the development, adoption, and compliance of the Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) standard through collaboration, education, training, testing, and certification. The OpenADR Alliance is open to all interested stakeholders interested in accelerating the adoption of the OpenADR standard for price- and reliability-based demand response. More information can be obtained at http://www.openadr.org/