InfiNet Improves Real Time Energy Management Solutions for Target Service Territories Served by Any Size Utilities, Increasing Efficiency and Flexibility
ATLANTA - SchlumbergerSema, the information technology (IT) business segment of Schlumberger Limited, today announced it has launched a new technology, offered as part of its Real-Time Energy Management Solutions (RTEMS), called InfiNet. InfiNet revitalizes the highly reliable and field-proven Schlumberger RTEMS wireless fixed network, which already provides automated meter reading (AMR) services for 16 major utility companies and nearly 10 million water, gas and electric meters in North America.
The RTEMS InfiNet system from Schlumberger uses a secure Internet for wide area network (WAN) connections to nodes, or gateways, within the Schlumberger wireless local area network (W-LAN). This improved system provides a scaleable AMR solution that can be deployed for any size utility as well as for target populations within the utility's service territory, which improves accuracy and timeliness of meter reading at lower infrastructure and operational costs. The InfiNet architecture makes it possible to reliably and cost-effectively deploy virtually any number of LAN nodes - from one to many thousands.
"The InfiNet system is a breakthrough technology that changes the rules by providing utility companies of all sizes with cost-effective access to the benefits of real-time AMR, which previously were cost-prohibitive to many small and mid-sized utilities," said Mike Zito, RTEMS general manager, SchlumbergerSema. "InfiNet breathes life into traditional AMR services and reinforces our goals, commitment and our ability to provide flexible, scalable and cost-effective real-time AMR solutions to the energy and utilities industry."
Real-time networks offer significant improvements to AMR, including greater reliability and accuracy of reads for off-cycle, move-in/out, verification, usage monitoring, tamper notification, outage notification, restoration notification, load control, distribution automation and dynamic pricing - all of which help utilities operate more efficiently. InfiNet offers enhanced capabilities in load forecasting, distribution system asset management and planning, accurate energy balancing and settlements transactions. Additionally, customers can benefit due to InfiNet's new service opportunities through Web-based usage monitoring and customer service applications.
The InfiNet system consists of four major components - endpoints, gateways, a secure IP network (WAN), and a host. The InfiNet host system is based on a modular architecture that provides utility companies with a range of solutions, from simple monthly consumption and on-demand reads to advanced-metering functions such as demand, time-of-use, and load profiling, depending on their specific requirements.
The InfiNet system can be provided as an outsourced service, a centrally hosted system, or purchased and operated directly by the utility. These options provide utility clients with the flexible business models needed in today's business environment.
-Ends-
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is a global oilfield and information services company with major activity in the energy industry. The company employs 78,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working in 100 countries and comprises three primary business segments. Schlumberger Oilfield Services is the world's premier oilfield services company supplying a wide range of technology services and solutions to the international oil and gas industry. WesternGeco, jointly owned with Baker Hughes, is the world's largest and most advanced surface seismic company. SchlumbergerSema is a leading supplier of IT consulting, systems integration, and network and infrastructure services to the energy industry, as well as to the public sector, telecommunications and finance markets. In 2002, Schlumberger operating revenue was $13.2 billion. For more information, visit slb.com.
For further information, contact:
Stephanie Nelson
SchlumbergerSema PR, USA
Tel: + 713 439 4361
snelson11@slb.com
Mark Morris
Coltrin & Associates PR
Tel: 212 221 1616
slb@coltrin.com
© Press Release 2006
