ZigBee Updates from Across the Internet

Simon will add those relevant to smart metering, particularly in a GB context.

February 2009

• Schneider Electric and Philips have launched a new vision for interoperability in home automation and building control
• Arch Rock developing ZigBee/IP solution
• Freescale takes number one position in Zigbee chipset market
• Article on ZigBee vs.IPv6? from 6LowPAN founder - understandably quite anti-ZigBee

January 2009 and Older

• Comprehensive article about Security in 802.15.4 and ZigBee networks
• Similarly comprehensive comparison of 802.15.4 vs ZigBee
• Article about Rate$aver ZigBee display device
• Atmel (ATML) Acquires MeshNetics ZigBee Intellectual Property Rights
• A look at the differences between IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee.
• Nokia introduces platform that uses ZigBee and Z-Wave
• Wireless gateway for smart metering launched by Wavecom (ZigBee/M-Bus)
  
• ZigBee article on designing smart energy devices
• TXU Energy Partners with Digi and Comverge to Launch Nation's First ZigBee-Enabled Demand Response Program over Broadband Internet
• Alektrona Unveils Energy Service Portal for ZigBee Smart Energy Standard
• Daintree using Certicom ECC security for ZigBee networks
• Tendril using ZigBee to support older AMR metering
• New Energy Aware/Comverge ZigBee based in home display Same subject, different link
• Several articles on product offering from MainNet for AMI solutions using ZigBee Article 1 Article 2 Article 3
• Tendril working with Itron to offer HAN solutions
  

ZigBee European Smart Energy Forum

The ERA, a number of its' members and other members of the LCDG were present at the ZigBee event in Dublin on 13th February 2009.

Presentations
The very interesting video from Gotebug Energi is not yet available, and the presentation list is still incomplete:

• Bob Heile's (ZigBee Alliance) introduction to the forum
• Bill Lichtensteiger (Landis+Gyr) on use of ZigBee in Multi-Occupant premises
• Tomas Arnewid (Goteburg Energi) on the implmentation of a city wide ZigBee mesh
• John Cowburn (PRI) on the UK perspective
  

An information CD was available on the day, and the relevant papers can be downloaded (click on the Links or use file browser below):

Background to the ZigBee Alliance
ZigBee Tutorial
ZigBee Member List
Guide to the Smart Energy Market

Success Stories

Daintree Networks with ZigBee, Teaming Up to Certify Smart Energy. The world is facing astounding population growth with our current population at 6.6 billion and a forecast of 9.2 billion people on the earth by the year 2050. With this huge population growth comes an unprecedented demand for energy. This challenge has utilities initiating new business plans and strategies that will address energy needs not for just five or 10 years, but 50 years down the road. One such strategy is the implementation of standards-based, certified systems that provide for smarter, more efficient energy use.

Energate Implements ZigBee Smart Energy to Balance the Needs of Utilities and Empower Consumers. Around the world, energy markets are being stressed to their limits during peak demand periods. Fluctuating power flows and increasing price volatility add to the unease about future energy supply security and also increase the potential for a system reliability disaster. To reduce peak energy consumption and the risk of taxing the existing power infrastructure to the point of blackouts, many energy services companies are investigating how to provide their consumers with demand response programs. Energate, a leading provider of home energy management controls, systems, and services for the energy, HVAC, and home automation markets is now offering a solution with its ZigBee® Smart Energy Certified Pioneer Z100 smart thermostats.

AlertMe.com and ZigBee: 21st Century Home Security and Awareness. AlertMe.com wanted to create a modern security system addressing the needs of the 21st century consumer. The key to their new system is the use of the modern communication technologies already present in the majority of homes to alert the resident of a security breach. Since a majority of homes now have an always available broadband connection, AlertMe uses this as the base communication line between the home and AlertMe.com. Since almost everyone now carries a mobile phone, this mobile communication line completes the link, allowing automatic communication between home and resident almost anywhere in the world. But the innovation behind leveraging existing communication channels needed something else, and this is where ZigBee® provided the perfect solution.

Comverge and ZigBee: Helping Utilities Define the Clean Energy Sector. The 21st century has brought with it numerous challenges and also many opportunities for the utility industry. More stringent environmental laws along with a growing preference for clean energy fuels have created a strong focus on clean energy. And, while the utility industry shares a common goal — making more power while producing less carbon dioxide — there is no single simple solution. Many utilities have begun including several elements of green energy in their power portfolios including promoting energy efficiency. Instead of building new transmission corridors or additional peaking plants, utilities are now focusing some of their efforts and investments on demand response programs.

ZigBee and Develco Enable Energy Management and Efficiency
A new world of possibilities in energy efficiency exists today because of wireless communication. Over the years, the number of digital devices in homes and businesses has multiplied. With the increased number of devices came increased awareness that many of these devices, appliances and systems are unable to communicate with one another.

Itron and ZigBee: Energy Solutions That Combine Reliability and Efficiency
A recent report from the International Energy Agency indicates that if government energy policies do not change, global primary energy demand will grow by 1.6 percent per year from 2004 to 2030. Worldwide electricity demand will rise to 30,116 billion kilowatt-hours in 2030, more than double the 2003 level.1 Today, ZigBee® is addressing global concern for substantially improved energy efficiency through an open and interoperable standard for demand response, energy management and metering services. This approach will increase energy efficiency in homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities around the world.

Landis+Gyr and ZigBee Advanced Metering for the Intelligent Electric Grid
In 2000, Californians found out the hard way what it was like to face rolling blackouts every day. In the wake of the 1996 deregulation of its utilities market, California’s residents and commercial sectors endured the reality of a long, hot summer as rolling blackouts plagued the state. While not only a nuisance and an inconvenience, the blackouts temporarily slowed one of the world’s largest economies and had strong political repercussions. Many individuals may think rolling blackouts are a thing of the past, but they actually give us an ominous indicator of our future if global energy efficiency programs are not implemented soon.

White Papers

ZigBee WiFi Coexistence - Schneider Electric's investigations suggest that WiFi today does not constitute a threat to satisfactory ZigBee communications in real residential environments.
ZigBee and Wireless Radio Frequency Coexistence - ZigBee is seeing broad adoption by industries which demand products based on standards that deliver long-term stability and feature a solid and competitive supply chain.

Older Papers and Links

Please note there are several papers attached to the bottom of this page.

Comprehensive (and technical) comparison of 802.15.4 chips at Freaklabs website. Compares silicon from Atmel, Freescale, TI, OKI & UBEC.

Paper from Daintree Networks on Robust ZigBee Networks

June 08 Presentation by Frauhofer Institute on Smart Metering with ZigBee, showing prototype and products to deliver connectivity in a one-stop communications box.


Good introductory e-learning type introduction to ZigBee concepts and applications by Jennic.


Article by Texas Instruments discussing the potential for ZigBee in low power wireless networks.

Techworld interview with the Chair of the ZigBee Alliance, giving a good overview of a number of topics.

Very snazzy flash animation from Texas Instruments explaining ZigBee in Domestic and Commercial applications.


Image below shows ZigBee Network Topologies