SUNNYVALE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/11/08 -- Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) announced that it won a contract to define and develop a
next-generation,
powerline-communication (PLC) specification and solution for
Electricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), a wholly owned subsidiary of
the EDF (Electricité de France) Group. In partnership with Sagem
Communications, Maxim will deliver an open PLC specification that
facilitates the implementation of an automatic meter-management (AMM)
infrastructure in France.
ERDF will deploy an AMM infrastructure throughout France to manage its
complete electricity supply chain -- from electricity suppliers all the way
to consumers. This infrastructure will enable two-way communication between
meters, sensors, and switches using existing power lines, thus giving ERDF
enhanced monitoring and control capabilities. It will also provide
end-customers with greater visibility into their electricity usage and
encourage demand-side management of electricity supplies. This advanced
functionality will enable ERDF to deliver a new level of customer-centric
services and promote energy conservation.
The successful completion of this project is expected to result in the
replacement of more than 35 million meters and concentrators in France.
Moreover, this implementation will function as a lighthouse project,
illuminating the way for other countries as they renew their
electricity-network infrastructure to meet the European Commission's energy
mandates.
The Challenge: Europe's Electricity Networks Require Comprehensive
Infrastructure Renewal
In January 2008, the European Commission announced a set of "20/20/20 by
2020" targets, proposing a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 20%
increase in renewable energy, and 20% improvement in energy efficiency by
2020.
Because its existing electricity-network infrastructure is inadequate to
meet these energy and sustainability imperatives, Europe has commenced one
of the largest infrastructure renewals in its history. Indeed, the
International Energy Agency estimates that the EU will invest over 500
billion euros in infrastructure renewal by 2030.
Two-Way Communications Is Critical for Extending Energy Resources
The deployment of an advanced communications infrastructure is a
prerequisite to meeting the EU's 20/20/20 targets.
Two-way communications will provide electricity-network operators with
intelligent monitoring and control capabilities.
