/ 06.23.2010 12:00AM
Google Supports White Space Smart Grid Trial
PORTOLA, CALIF.: Google
is backing the test of a wireless smart-grid power system that uses TV white
spaces. The Internet search giant partnered with Spectrum Bridge of Lake Mary,
Fla., and the utility cooperative of Plumas-Sierra County, Calif., where the
trial is being carried out. Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative &
Telecommunications elected to use white spaces to monitor the power grid in the
county, and to provide broadband access in underserved areas.
“Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and
present some very technical challenges with respect to wireless coverage,” said
Lori Rice, chief operating officer of the utility. “The ability to use white space
has proven to be an effective option for dealing with difficult terrain and
offers another option for wireless connectivity.”
The Plumas-Sierra wireless smart grid is being used to deliver broadband connectivity
to remote substations and switchgear so utility operators can manage those
systems remotely. The grid incorporates Google’s PowerMeter technology for monitoring energy use. PowerMeter provides real-time use data
via the Internet for electricity customers.
Says Google’s director of green business operations, Rick Needham: “This
project demonstrates the incredible potential of this spectrum to revolutionize
not only wireless communications, but also rural energy.”
Spectrum Bridge is participating by tracking available spectrum for the
project. The company specializes in sniffing out white spaces--spectrum
previously left between TV channels to prevent interference. The FCC freed up
white spaces for unlicensed use after last year’s DTV transition. It was assumed
digital transmissions would be less susceptible to interference than analog TV
signals.
Spectrum Bridge manages a dynamic data base of available white spaces. Both
Spectrum Bridge and Google are among companies vying to become the FCC’s
official TV spectrum data base manager. FCC rules require unlicensed devices to
be in contact with its database. A manager has has yet been selected.
The Plumas-Sierra trial is the third municipal white-space network involving
participation by Spectrum Bridge. It was most notably involved in the first
high-profile effort undertaken by Claudeville, Va. The rural Blue Ridge
community launched a white-space broadband network last October. Another in
Wilmington, N.C., was launched this last February using Spectrum Bridge’s
database.
-- Deborah D. McAdams
See...
January 4, 2010: “White Space Database
Manager Proposals Due”
The unlicensed devices that will soon operate in unoccupied TV channels
will be required to check the database for where TV stations, BAS operations
and other broadcast entities are using spectrum.
October 22, 2009
: “Virginia Town
Exemplifies White Space Usage”
The community of Claudville, Va., is quintessentially “unserved,” an archetype
for using TV spectrum for wireless broadband.