Tendril today released the beta version of the Tendril Energy Management System (EMS), the first open, standards-based software and hardware system that enables an important dialogue between consumers and their energy providers, allowing them to manage the consumption and supply of energy in smarter, more efficient ways. The Tendril EMS is a turnkey system that enables utilities and energy providers to implement robust demand-response systems, direct load control and consumer communication in their service areas – providing an end-to-end system that meets 21st century energy requirements while also meeting consumer needs for straight-out-of-the-box simplicity, usability and affordability, said the maker. According to Tendril, it’s EMS is the first energy management system that is compatible with all ZigBee Smart Energy certified hardware products, and is also compatible with most enterprise-class open, standards-based integration methods.

The Tendril EMS includes: an enterprise wireless network operating platform that utilizes the open, interoperable ZigBee Smart Energy Profile; consumer end devices such as smart thermostats, smart in-home displays and smart outlets; an IP-to-ZigBee Gateway; a suite of network management tools for ZigBee network monitoring and diagnostics; a consumer energy management portal; a utility back-office integration portal; and other infrastructure components to provide a secure and reliable connection into the Home Area Network (HAN).

Plus, the EMS is also built with the utility industry’s own OpenHAN product requirements in mind. It is an open architecture that can extend and scale to support millions of networks from a single network operations center (NOC), stated Tendril. Furthermore, the EMS supports common standards such as JMS and integrates seamlessly with existing back office enterprise systems, including meter data management systems (MDMS) and billing systems as well as load monitoring and security applications. And with its device-agnostic approach, energy companies and their customers can easily expand to other types of trusted wireless devices as market requirements dictate, .

“Customers need information and the ability to control their energy use to manage their energy bill. One of the key issues for customers is to learn which electrical devices/appliances contribute significantly to their bill and the Tendril EMS system offers customers an easy method of accomplishing this,” said Patti Harper-Slaboszewicz, director, AMI and DR for UtiliPoint International, Inc.

www.tendrilinc.com