[August 01, 2012]

New Sensus Demand Response Offering to be Enabled by OATI WebDistribute

Sensus, a leading provider of smart grid infrastructure technologies for electric, gas and water utilities, announces a new demand response (DR) management offering to electric utility customers enabled by Minneapolis-based solution provider Open Access Technology International, Inc., or OATI.

Sensus will offer OATI webDistribute^SM/TM demand response management system (DRMS) as the load control application to customers of its FlexNet™ advanced utility communications network. With OATI webDistribute, utilities can create, monitor, schedule and manage DR programs and events with enrolled customers over the secure wireless FlexNet system networked with FlexNet enabled load control devices and ZigBee SEP based Home Area Network devices. Also offeredis OATI's companion webSmartView^SM/TM application, enabling the utility to easily create an online portal for consumers to enroll in DR programs and optionally monitor their usage.

"Utilities have embraced demand response programs as flexible, cost-effective ways to manage peak demand as well as a benefit they can offer their customers to help reduce their electric bills," said Matt Ferguson, Director of Marketing at Sensus. "Through the arrangement with OATI, FlexNet customers can have an accessible, user-friendly and customizable program that suits their consumer's needs without a large capital outlay or complicated programming."

Both webDistribute and webSmartView are offered as vendor hosted applications, removing any need for additional utility IT infrastructure. In most circumstances, demand response events are preprogrammed and automatically transmitted via the ZigBee or Sensus FlexNet wireless protocols to home area network devices installed at the consumer's premise, including programmable thermostats and load control devices on water heaters and pool pumps.

The Sensus-OATI DR solution integrates with existing utility systems and operations including advanced metering, meter data management, customer information, distribution automation, outage management and geospatial systems using industry standard protocols for interoperability. It also adheres to NERC (News - Alert) CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) and other cyber security standards.

"Utilities can easily expand the functionality of the infrastructure to enable comprehensive and effective load management and demand response needs via an integrated and secure set of products and solutions. This powerful combination can also be leveraged to utilize additional webDistribute and webSmartView features and solutions focused on utility needs," said Jerry Dempsey, OATI Senior Vice President Business Development.

About OATI

OATI provides innovative software solutions that simplify, streamline, and empower the operational tasks required in today's energy commerce and Smart Grid. With 1,200 customers across North America, OATI successfully deploys large, complicated, and diverse mission-critical applications committed to industry standards and stringent NERC CIP guidelines. OATI (www.oati.com) is the leading provider of Smart Grid, Energy Trading and Risk Management, Transmission Scheduling, Congestion Management, and Market Management products and services, with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota and an office in Redwood City, California. For more information, please contact sales@oati.net.

About Sensus

Sensus is a leading utility infrastructure company offering smart meters, communication systems, software and services for the electric, gas, and water industries. Sensus technology helps utilities drive operational efficiency and customer engagement with applications that include advanced meter reading, data acquisition, demand response, distribution automation, home area networking and outdoor lighting control. Customers worldwide trust the innovation, quality and reliability of Sensus solutions for the intelligent use and conservation of energy and water. Learn more at www.sensus.com. To follow Twitter (News - Alert) updates from Sensus, please visit http://twitter.com/sensussmartgrid.

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