As IP-based Smart Grid communications systems increase in popularity, power utilities are looking to modernize and integrate their primary communications backbone and sub-network applications. Larger utilities are trending toward placing their applications on MPLS networks while smaller utilities are increasingly considering multiservice Ethernet networks.

Using actual network application examples, this session focuses on how small to medium sized utilities are using multiservice Ethernet platforms to blend various legacy systems into an IP-based Smart Grid communications system. It also discusses how multiservice Ethernet can be used to complement MPLS networks in larger utilities.

Speakers:
Nick Lee: Senior Applications Manager - TC Communications
Keith Schiltz: MDT Services Manager - Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative