Getting In-Home Networks and AMI on Speaking Terms

June 1, 2009

The first open standards–based software platform for in-home networks, which link devices like
thermostats and load switches, promises to improve communications between utilities and
residential customers in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and smart grid environment.
The Tendril Residential Energy Ecosystem (TREE) open-source platform, developed by Tendril
Networks, has the potential to help utilities roll out residential demand-response and energy-
efficiency programs while fulfilling the potential of the smart grid. Because it uses ZigBee Alliance
open standard, the platform will be able to interact with home-area network (HAN) equipment
from other manufacturers that use the same standard.