Schlumberger unveils InfiNet for Energy and Utilities
Posted: 9 September 2003
InfiNet improves real time energy management solutions
for target service territories served by any size utilities, increasing
efficiency and flexibility
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 revitalises 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.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS), an operating unit of Schlumberger
Oilfield Services, is the global industry leader for the supply
of integrated business solutions comprising information management,
information technology, a complete range of expert services and
GeoQuest software. SIS enables petroleum companies to drive their
business performance and realise the potential of the digital oilfield.
SIS is on the Internet at sis.slb.com.
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 www.slb.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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