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1. IP Security (IPsec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
The Smart Grid is a mission-critical infrastructure and thus must be secure. Any failure in the electricity grid can have serious consequences for human safety and cause tremendous economic losses. When we start deploying next-generation electricity grids, each device will become a communication device making the entire system more vulnerable to hackers and cyber terrorists who can access the system through any device connected to the network. It means any Smart Grid infrastructure has to have the highest level of security to create a hardened security covering around the entire infrastructure.

Over the past five years Billion has been investing heavily in security technologies, such as IPSec VPN, Client-to-Site SSL VPN, and Site-to-Site SSL VPN to ensure it is ready to adapt these technologies to serve its ODM customers and tailor its existing BiGuard product line to meet customer needs.

Billion's BiGuard SSL VPN series are intelligent SSL broadband sharing gateways with comprehensive security features. They support SSL encryption and authentication to ensure the safety of data transmission and user authorization, as well as firewall, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), Denial of Service (DoS) prevention and URL Filtering. While connecting the Smart Grid network to the utility companies, with its cutting edge security features, the SSL VPN Gateway can protect the sub-station of utility companies from intruder attacks and also secure the data transmission between them.

Integrated with site-to-site SSL VPN feature, Billion's BiGuard SSL VPN series can support site-to-site packet filtering, mesh VPN, HTTPS service, and NAT transparent for higher levels of security and flexibility, allowing limited exposure of specific internal resources to the sub-stations or their partner network environments.

Furthermore, Billion's BiGuard SSL VPN series supports various kinds of authentication domains such as RADIUS, LDAP, Active Directory, and NT Domain. Therefore, it is easy to integrate with the existing user management system of the sub-stations and provides a consistent access method for all users. In addition to the security gateway, Billion BiGuard Central Management Software series allows utility companies to centrally manage their SSL VPN gateways via a web-based interface.

2. PLC (Power Line Communication)
PLC is a system for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission. Electrical power is transmitted over high-voltage transmission lines, distributed using medium voltage and used inside buildings at lower voltages. PLC can be applied at each stage.

Billion has launched in-home PLC products, including its PLC Adapter, Pass-thru Adapter, Y-Cable Adapter and PLC Adapter with 802.11N AP products. Billion is investing in technology to support PLC products for Energy Management, such as PLC pass-thru with control relay, PLC pass-thru with power metering.

A Smart Grid delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology to save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability and transparency. A Smart Meter is a key component of the Smart Grid and is used to enable distribution automation, demand response, load management and real-time pricing. Electricity utility companies are taking a proactive approach by selecting and deploying Smart Grid and AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructures) enabling technologies to ensure they are properly positioned for the future.

Communication technology is required to create a Smart Grid and provide two-way communication and remote access. It can use BPL (Broadband over Power Lines), PLC technology or a wireless system. Although wireless is easier to install, BPL is the preferred solution as it operates through the wire.

Both PLC and Energy Management require communication and power technology. Robust knowledge is necessary to design high-performance, high-efficiency products. Billion started to develop AC power products in 1973 and Billion’s Power Division has strong experience and the capabilities to develop AC power circuits required for PLC and Energy Management.

3. ZigBee and Wireless
ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The technology defined by the ZigBee specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than other WPANs, such as Bluetooth.

ZigBee is targeted at radio-frequency (RF) applications that require a low data rate, long battery life and secure networking. ZigBee technology is currently used for Smart Grid and Energy Management. Billion has a lot of experience in wireless communication and its engineers have the capability to develop ZigBee solutions for Smart Grid as well.

4. AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)
AMI refers to system that can measure, collect and analyze energy usage from advanced devices such as electricity meters, gas meters, and/or water meters. Various communication media are used and the analysis is done according to a schedule or ad hoc. Smart Metering plays a key role in this infrastructure.

For Smart Metering, Billion is capable of supporting an AMI module with PLC or ZigBee radio interfaces for data transmission as well as serial port RS-485 or RS-232 communication for digital metering.

5. GPRS/3G
Billion’s GPRS/3G wireless data and networking technologies are tailored to address the needs of mission-critical applications that require secure wireless data communication and reliable networking platforms. Billion’s 3G appliances are widely deployed in high-availability environments such as banking, medical and patient care, surveillance and large-scale offices. Billion’s experience with GPRS/3G wireless data makes Billion the ideal partner for ODM customers wanting to integrate seamless wireless data technology into Smart Grid solutions to facilitate real-time acquisition of metering data from a utility via public wireless networks and the Internet.

6. Home Gateway
With more than 10 years’ experience with DSL Home Gateway and WiFi/Powerline Home Gateway development, Billion has extended its Home Gateway product range to BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) to meet emerging Smart Grid market demand. BPL uses a power line carrier to send and receive information-bearing signals over power lines, thus providing data access. This is the ideal approach for utility companies to provide a cost-effective Smart Grid solution.

7. EMS (Energy Management System)
The EMS (Energy Management System) software that enables customers to calculate the energy consumption and cost of their home electrical appliances using the cost and duration of energy supply. This comprehensive information regarding their energy consumption allows customers to reduce their energy use; saving money and also helping the environment.

When used with the Billion's 200Mbps Wall Plug Ethernet Adapter with Smart AC Power Switching Control, the EMS enables customers to remotely switch on/off their home electrical appliances at any time via the Internet. This system also allows customers to set up time schedules for switching their electrical appliances on/off. The EMS supports a web-based interface for remote management, allowing access from anywhere over the Internet.

With years of experience in supporting ISP device management, including Central Management Systems, Traffic Management Systems and TR069 protocols supported in each communication devices, Billion is able to work with ODM customers to design and customize products.

8. Smart Metering and Power Management
With integrated EMS and PLC networking devices, Billion's Smart Metering and Energy Management series allow end-users to measure and control the power usage of the electrical appliances in their home or factory. Furthermore, they also can remotely monitor and access the real-time electrical information via the Smart Grid network from anywhere at anytime.

By using the flexible field communication interfaces of Billion’s Smart Power Meter Series, end-users can measure and record comprehensive electrical parameters such as voltage, current, apparent/true wattage, PF value and power usage.

9. Couplers
Couplers are one of the key components of a Smart Grid network. They transfer the communication signals to and from medium voltage and low voltage power lines in a BPL or PLC network and also serve to read, in real-time, the current status of the electrical distribution grid. Since a single coupler cannot span this entire range of options, Billion has developed several couplers for medium voltage and low voltage applications.