Cisco has released its first smart grid products – a router and switch built specifically for power utility substations.

 

They are the first in Cisco's connected grid portfolio, which senior vice president Laura Ipsen says is aimed at improving the efficiency of the power grid and paving the way for consumer energy services. 

 

“With our substation automation solutions at the core, we look forward to helping utilities achieve their business and operational goals,” she said.

 

The company says the new products provide a secure communications infrastructure to capture and analyze information in near-real-time.

 

“This helps utility operators better manage and maintain power transmission and distribution equipment, as well as increase the reliability of power delivery by quickly identifying, isolating, diagnosing and, at times, automatically repairing faults.”

 

Ipsen told Earth2Tech that Cisco expects governments and utilities to issue smart grid contracts worth more than $20 billion in the next five years – “bigger than the internet” market.