en.Wedoany.com Reported - Benton Rural Electric Association (Benton REA) will deploy Revelo grid sensors developed by Landis+Gyr for advanced metering infrastructure and energy management, aiming to improve operational efficiency and adapt to evolving energy demands in southeastern Washington state. The utility serves approximately 17,000 member accounts.
Under the agreement, Benton REA will deploy Landis+Gyr's Revelo platform along with a hybrid communication network integrating Gridstream RF Mesh IP and cellular technologies. This approach is designed to extend network coverage, particularly for remote and mountainous areas where traditional connectivity faces challenges. Benton REA plans to leverage the platform to improve system planning, maintenance, and reliability, while offering members more flexible demand management.
Aaron Welling, Senior Project Manager at Benton REA, stated that the primary goal is to ensure sustained reliability, manage costs, and provide members with flexible demand management options. The Revelo platform expands options for system planning and maintenance through sensing capabilities that support load disaggregation, intelligent switching, and power quality applications. As new loads such as electric vehicle charging stations and agricultural irrigation connect to the grid, Benton REA plans to use the high-resolution data provided by these systems to monitor and balance equipment loads across the distribution system. This real-time data will help identify growing demand, address potential constraints, and support the delivery of reliable and cost-effective electricity.
Landis+Gyr stated that the Revelo platform combines metering with grid sensing, enabling utilities to gain detailed usage patterns and operational issues at the distribution edge. Mark Ortega, Director of Distribution Sales, noted that rural utilities are being asked to manage increasingly complex grid demands while maintaining the reliability and affordability that members rely on. By combining advanced sensing, grid edge intelligence, and flexible communications, Benton REA is laying the foundation for managing growth, improving visibility, and making more informed operational decisions. The deployment will use mesh networks and full-carrier cellular communications to connect the most remote endpoints. The platform also supports different communication standards, including the Wi-SUN protocol and private LTE networks.
