IDACOMM and Broadband Energy Networks form strategic partnership.

IDACOMM, the communications subsidiary of IDACORP and Broadband Energy Networks have announced a strategic partnership to incorporate Broadband Energy's advanced energy automation and network integration technologies into broadband over power line (BPL) networks developed by IDACOMM.

As part of the strategic partnership, IDACOMM will include Broadband Energy's Utility Automation products, software and services in IDACOMM's BPL product offering to utilities and other customers, and will build a demonstration and testing lab at their offices in Boise, where IDACOMM will demonstrate the use of Broadband Energy's solutions with multiple BPL network infrastructures, including equipment from Mitsubishi, Amperion and Ambient. The collaboration between the companies is planned to include:

Integration of Broadband Energy's UNIPLEX Energy Services application platform and Utility Portal into IDACOMM's complete-utility solution set;

Use of Broadband Energy Networks' technology to enable IDACOMM BPL systems to deliver utility applications, customer information and energy automation; and

Integration of Broadband Energy's automation products into the BPL network in IDACOMM's Boise Demonstration Lab. The unique applications developed by Broadband Energy leverage the capabilities of a BPL network in new ways that benefit both utilities and their customers:

Utility Applications, including demand response, grid monitoring, and AMR meter data display;

Building Automation Applications, for commercial, industrial, and residential facilities; and

Public Service Applications, such as air quality monitoring in public places, remote-controlled camera monitoring, and other public health, safety and homeland security uses. "Broadband Energy believes that IDACOMM will be a market leader in deploying BPL networks throughout the U.S.," commented Larry Silverman, Broadband Energy's president. "IDACOMM's team and BPL lab will provide a facility to demonstrate the benefits of BPL to the utility, its customers, and the community-at-large, and will encourage BPL to become a pervasive source for broadband throughout the U.S. We are excited," he concluded, "about the benefits that can be delivered through the partnership with IDACOMM."

"Broadband Energy is a proven innovator in utility automation, demand response and energy information systems," stated IDACOMM President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Britton. "Broadband Energy understands the power of the Smart Grid, and they lead the industry in developing intelligent grid applications that will benefit utilities and their customers alike."

IDACOMM, a subsidiary company of Boise-based IDACORP, Inc., offers complete and sophisticated broadband over powerline (BPL) integration and operation services for electric companies. The company also provides fiber optic broadband services for organizations in high technology, manufacturing, distribution, health care, education, and state and local government; as well as a full range of broadband Internet, Voice over IP and private network solutions using a variety of access technologies.