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United States Patent Application 20140129813
Kind Code A1
PILLAI; Revathi Appukuttan ; et al. May 8, 2014
PRODUCT HAVING A STORAGE DEVICE THAT HOLDS CONFIGURING INFORMATION
Abstract
There is provided a product that includes (i) a component, (ii) a storage device that holds a configuration code that indicates that the component is installed in the product, (iii) a processor, and (iv) a memory that contains instructions that are readable by the processor and that control the processor to (a) read the configuration code from the storage device, (b) determine from the configuration code that the component is installed in the product, thus yielding a determination, and (c) execute an operation in response to the determination.
Inventors: PILLAI; Revathi Appukuttan; (Littleton, MA) ; CHANG; Willy; (Northborough, MA) ; HEMSTREET; Jeffrey Lawrence; (Jefferson, MA) ; RAO; Ramdas Sitaram; (Brighton, MA)
Applicant:
Name City State Country Type
Ambient Corporation
Newton
MA
US
Duke Energy and six companies have joined together to build a distributed-intelligence application to eliminate silos and improve grid performance while allowing grid assets to be inter-operable. The “Coalition of the Willing” (COW) group – Accenture, Alstom Grid, Ambient Corporation, Duke Energy, Echelon, S&C, and Verizon - will prove that disparate assets, data, and control commands can be shared across multiple platforms to achieve interoperability with lower costs and faster response times. The first phase of this project will be to convert a Volt/Var Optimization (VVO) function to run on a distributed platform. This is accomplished by utilizing a “communications node” and a standards-based messaging architecture to enable peer-to-peer communications and to federate data from previously siloed systems. The COW participants are exposing some data locally via a standards-based interface. The VVO phase of this project will be tested in Duke Energy’s McAlpine Smart Grid test area in Charlotte. The distributed VVO application will reside on field communication nodes, run on a variety of field message buses, and be tested on both the 3G and 4G LTE Verizon Wireless networks. The application will average two residential meter voltages being supplied by Echelon meters and bring them back via Power Line Carrier (PLC) to the Ambient communication node. The application will determine if an under voltage condition exists, if one does, the application will send a close command to the control via DNP3 through peer to peer messaging over the Verizon Wireless network. The capacitor control will receive the close command and close the capacitor bank to try and alleviate the under voltage condition on the meters. The final step in this process will be to update the Alstom DMS as to the new state of the capacitor. If an under voltage still exists, the application will send a flag to the DMS so it can perform further corrective action. http://s36.a2zinc.net/clients/pennwell/dtech2014/Public/SessionDetails.aspx?SessionID=7055
John Joyce, CEO of Ambient Corporation stated, "Con Edison and Ambient have always shared a special relationship. Con Edison was the first member to join the Ambient Board of Advisors in 2000. In the intervening years, Con Edison has invited and encouraged Ambient to test and perfect its technology at Con Edison facilities in Buchanan, NY and Astoria, Queens. In short, they have been supportive friends and advisors."
"The announcement of this development contract, coupled with last month's announcement of a development relationship with Southern Telecom, Inc., marks an exciting new phase both in Ambient's history as well as for the Power Line Communications industry. Under this agreement, we will endeavor to deploy our proprietary technology over Con Edison's actual power lines."
"Today's agreement reinforces Con Edison's long-standing commitment to keeping pace with the most advanced technology around the world," said Hyman Schoenblum, Con Edison's vice president for corporate planning. "Working in partnership with corporations like Ambient speeds the process of using state-of-the art technology to enhance the lives of our customers through improved services."
from:http://investor.conedison.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61493&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=259322&highlight=
The smart grid leader is a smart grid newsmaker
News Releases
Ambient Corporation Awarded Contract by Consolidated Edison to Provide Application and Communications for Commercial and Industrial Customers
Smart Grid Nodes to communicate with the Commercial and Industrial meters to retrieve power quality and billing data
Jul 9, 2013
NEWTON, Mass., July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation (NASDAQ:AMBT), provider of a secure, flexible, and scalable communications and applications platform, today announced that Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (NYSE:ED) has contracted Ambient® to provide application development and communications equipment to replace discontinued technology for commercial and industrial metering. Following a year of testing and a successful pilot, this contract award signals the acceptance of the Ambient solution for a roll-out to further locations across the New York City area.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090311/AMBIENTLOGO)
"Consolidated Edison needed a solution to interface with Commercial and Industrial (C&I) meters at remote customer premises to collect and transmit data directly to their control center. Ambient's Smart Grid Nodes were selected due to their ability to meet all the specified criteria," stated David Masters, Ambient's Chief Technology Officer. "In addition, Ambient developed an application hosted locally on our node to collect, store, and transmit data from the meters."
"It is a testament to the versatility of our communications and applications platform that Consolidated Edison selected Ambient for this commercial and industrial project," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation.
Ambient Corporation helps utilities modernize the grid with IP-based networking products and applications that integrate and connect existing and future grid assets on a secure, flexible, and scalable smart grid communications platform. Ambient's Smart Grid Node family enables real-time data communication for multiple applications, in parallel: smart metering, distribution automation, power quality monitoring for voltage optimization, and more.
Ambient Corporation's Smart Grid Nodes Certified for the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network
NEWTON, Mass., March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation (AMBT), provider of a secure, flexible, and scalable communications and applications platform, today announced that all of the Ambient Smart Grid® Node family is now certified on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. For the first time, a high-speed, high-bandwidth communications network is now available to connect mission-critical utility and M2M smart grid applications.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090311/AMBIENTLOGO )
"Certification of the Ambient Smart Grid Nodes to operate on a 4G LTE network is a significant benefit for our utility customers," stated John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation.
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the fastest growing and most advanced wireless network technology available, offering speeds up to ten times faster than 3G while providing significantly lower latency. LTE, an all-IP network, delivers the coverage and capacity for a fast, real-time connection that supports a larger number of connected endpoints and applications simultaneously, including video-enabled monitoring and control of grid assets.
"The 4G LTE wireless network addresses latency concerns typically associated with networks that deliver critical data, command and control messaging, and enable distribution automation applications," said Ram Rao, Ambient Corporation's Chief Technology Officer. "The flexibility of a high-speed cellular connection with greater signal penetration capabilities allow numerous applications to run simultaneously, while providing connectivity to head-end systems, and supporting a distributed intelligence framework."
Ambient Corporation helps utilities modernize the grid with IP-based networking products and applications that integrate and connect existing and future grid assets on a single, secure, flexible, and scalable smart grid communications platform. Ambient's Smart Grid Node family enables real time data communication for multiple applications, in parallel; gas, water, and electric metering, demand response, and distribution automation.
Ambient Corporation Ranked Number 54 Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte's 2012 Technology Fast 500
Attributes 2,651 Percent Revenue Growth to Its Advanced Grid Modernization Solutions
NEWTON, Mass., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation (AMBT) today announced it ranked 54 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500™, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. Ambient Corporation grew 2,651 percent from 2007 to 2011.
Ambient Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer, John J. Joyce, credits the Ambient Communications Platform and its advanced technologies with the company's 2,651% revenue growth.
Mr. Joyce commented, "The value of the Ambient Communications Platform has enabled us to make a significant impact for our utility customers. It is by developing solutions for complex grid modernization challenges that we provide enhanced visibility into the distribution grid. Ambient is on the forefront of the latest technologies that bring customer benefits, extend the life of assets and provide greater control of the distribution grid."
"We are proud to honor the 2012 Technology Fast 500™ companies, and commend them for their outstanding growth," said Eric Openshaw, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) leader. "These ground-breaking companies have outpaced their competition and are reinventing the way we do business today."
"The companies on the Fast 500 list are among those that have demonstrated remarkable innovation, creativity and business savvy," said Bill Ribaudo partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and national TMT leader for audit and enterprise risk services (AERS). "As a result, these companies have continued to successfully forge ahead in a challenging economic environment. We applaud the leadership and employees of Ambient Corporation for this impressive accomplishment."
Ambient Corporation previously ranked 140 as a Technology Fast 500™ award winner for 2011.
Overall, 2012 Technology Fast 500™ companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 128 percent to 279,684 percent from 2007 to 2011, with an average growth of 2,774 percent.
About Deloitte's 2012 Technology Fast 500™
Technology Fast 500, conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP, provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies – both public and private - in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2007 to 2011.
In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD or CD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD or CD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of five years, and be headquartered within North America.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ambient-corporation-ranked-number-54-145600414.html
Ambient Corporation Delivers Enhanced Cellular Communications Capability on the Sprint Network
NEWTON, Mass., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation (AMBT), a leading provider of secure, flexible and scalable smart grid communications and applications platforms, announced that the X-3100 Smart Grid Node with embedded Sierra Wireless MC8355 module has been certified to operate on the Sprint network. The addition of this Sprint network certification gives North American utilities more choice and greater flexibility to fulfill their cellular communications requirements when using the field-proven Ambient Smart Grid® Platform.
"One of the key benefits of the Ambient solution is its flexibility, which we believe should be afforded not only by the communications options that we provide, but also by the potential carriers that our customers can use. We are delighted to have achieved this additional certification with Sprint, and pleased that we can now offer our customers the added functionality that the MC8355 module provides," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation.
Ram Rao, SVP and CTO, added, "Utilizing carrier wireless networks for utility Wide Area Networks (WANs) offers an Internet Protocol (IP)-based backhaul solution, which benefits from lower latency, higher throughput and robust security. These are vital characteristics to meet the demands imposed by the growing number of smart devices and applications on distribution grids."
"With the rising demand for energy and natural resources, machine-to-machine solutions give utilities and their customers a powerful emerging tool for automating services, managing demand and promoting sustainability," said Wayne Ward, Vice President-Emerging Solutions Group, Sprint. "Our collaboration with Ambient underscores our commitment to helping the utility industry improve efficiency."
The Ambient Smart Grid Node is a purpose-built network device with advanced processing capability and memory, designed to support electric, gas and water utility communications and applications on their respective grids. It provides upstream and downstream high-speed data communications using a variety of wired and wireless technologies, including cellular, serial, Ethernet, Power Line Communications (PLC), Wi-Fi and Radio Frequency (RF) technologies.
Ambient: The Biggest Winner Of The Duke/Progress Energy Merger
This Tuesday July 3rd was a big day as Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) and Progress Energy Inc. said they had completed their merger now valued at about $32 billion to form the nation's largest electric company.
Duke won federal approval for the merger in January 2011 and it took a little less than 17 months to close the deal.
The combined company will serve more than 7 million customers in North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Florida and South Carolina. Duke Energy's more than $100 billion in assets include power plants in Central America and South America and a growing portfolio of wind and solar renewable energy projects in the U.S.
The market was surprised that Progress CEO Bill Johnson, who was tapped to lead the combined company as president and chief executive decided to leave by "mutual agreement,". He is going to receive as much as $10.3 million so don't feel too bad for him. Duke CEO Jim Rogers, who was expected to be executive chairman, has instead been named CEO of the new company.
Interestingly, the effect of Jim Rogers becoming CEO sent shares of Ambient Corporation (AMBT) up 10.77% to $6.07 per share for a gain of 59 cents on the day. So what's the relationship here?
We first had Ambient on our radar screen when we looked for companies with the highest percentage of revenue growth over the past few years listed on the Nasdaq.
View: Annual Data | All numbers in thousands
Period Ending Dec 31, 2011 Dec 31, 2010 Dec 31, 2009
Total Revenue 62,306 20,358 2,193
Cost of Revenue 35,490 12,023 1,836
Gross Profit 26,816 8,335 357
At first we thought this was a misprint because revenue grew from $2.193 million in 2009 to $62.306 million in 2011 for a gain of 2741%.
We decided to read every page of the company's 2011 annual report. This stuff is actually kind of complicated so we are going to copy and paste the points we found to be important and informative.
The Electric Power Distribution Grid
The grid was largely designed and built decades ago, and is increasingly becoming strained. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, in the United States 70% of transmission lines are 25 years old or older; 70% of power transformers are 25 years old or older; and 60% of circuit breakers are 30 years old or older. The current grid infrastructure, both in the United States and abroad, simply is not designed to accommodate the dynamic electricity distribution requirements of today or the future. As a result, the aging grid is prone to reliability, security, availability and power quality issues, costing utilities and consumers billions of dollars each year.
It is amazing to think that the power grid has been around for so long without any real modernization. Unfortunately, we are seeing the after affects now with over 1 million people are still without power due to the recent storms in the US.
However, the market is starting to be created and the U.S. government is spearheading the development of the "smart grid":
Anticipated Smart Grid Investment
Pike Research forecasts that smart grid investment will total $52 billion in North America by 2015, $80 billion in Europe by 2020 and $171 billion in Asia by 2017. The U.S. government is a substantial proponent of smart grid technologies, primarily through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or ARRA, which awarded more than $3.4 billion in stimulus funding for smart grid technology development and demonstration, plus $615 million for smart grid storage, across 99 smart grid initiatives to be spent by 2013.
Our Solution
The Ambient Smart Grid® Communications Platform
The Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform, which includes hardware, software and firmware, enables utilities to both effectively manage smart grid applications and directly integrate certain applications into our products themselves. Our communications platform provides a utility with a secure, two-way, flexible and open IP architecture that efficiently networks smart grid applications and different technologies within each application and supports multiple communications technologies currently used by utilities, such as Wi-Fi, radio frequency, cellular technologies, power line communications, serial and Ethernet. Our communications platform enables the integration of smart grid applications, such as smart metering, demand response, distribution automation and monitoring, and direct load control. It also provides an open and flexible platform allowing for the addition of multiple applications, as well as enhancements and future applications.
Our Ambient Smart Grid® communications nodes are attached on or near a utility's transformer, and they support applications and connectivity to devices that comprise the smart grid. These communications nodes are physical boxes we designed for use in the harsh, outdoor environments in which utilities operate. Our network management system, known as AmbientNMS® is the software that manages the large numbers of devices on a smart grid network. By enabling such system interoperability, our communications platform both reduces implementation and ongoing communications costs, and improves overall power management efficiencies. Furthermore, our communications platform also accommodate smart grid applications installed directly into our communications nodes, which include our own developed technology and third-party technology, thereby substantially increasing their functionality.
Basically, what this means is that Ambient makes the Nodes that allows for the power grids to communicate with each other and with the central system software which is also run by Ambient. In other words Ambient is making the power grid intelligent kind of like the Cisco (CSCO) of the power grid.
Make no mistake about it, Ambient is a one trick pony because Duke Energy (DUK) is the only customer. Without Duke, Ambient is dead on arrival but it is unlikely that this 7 year relationship ends anytime soon.
Duke Energy Relationship
Since 2005, we have maintained a strategic relationship with Duke Energy and we believe that we are the leading supplier of its smart grid communications technology in connection with its smart grid implementation. ... Duke Energy announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years in smart grid equipment for its service territories including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and the Carolinas. The following table summarizes the evolution of our relationship with Duke Energy:
2005
?
Security and safety testing of our communications nodes
2006
?
Delivery of approximately 700 communications nodes for pilot deployment
2008
?
Commercial agreement for 9,000 communications nodes
2009
?
Award to Duke Energy of $204 million in ARRA digital grid stimulus funds and Duke Energy announcement of plans to invest a total of $1 billion in smart grid deployment initiatives over five years
?
Long-term supply agreement with Duke Energy to supply our communications nodes and services through 2015
2010
?
Full-scale smart grid deployment by Duke Energy in Ohio, which includes smart meters, automated power distribution equipment and a communications network encompassing more than 130,000 of our communications nodes, 700,000 electric meters and 450,000 gas meters
?
Deployment by Duke Energy of approximately 20,000 of our communications nodes
2011
?
Deployed a cumulative total of approximately 75,000 Ambient communications nodes, including approximately 3,000 of our communications nodes in the Carolinas
?
Total backlog of approximately $35 million as of December 31, 2011
Duke Energy is actively deploying thousands of our communications nodes each month and is licensing the AmbientNMS® system, specifically for its deployment in Ohio. We believe that we are the predominant provider of communications nodes and network management system software for Duke Energy's Ohio deployment.
We believe that we have demonstrated that our technology is secure, two-way, flexible, open, scalable, reliable and cost-effective through the total deployment of approximately 75,000 communications nodes in the field with Duke Energy. We believe that Duke Energy will continue to predominantly use our communications platform for the remainder of its Ohio smart grid deployment through 2013. Furthermore, Duke Energy's pilot deployment of approximately 3,000 communications nodes in the Carolinas predominantly uses our communications platform as well. Throughout the past five years, we have worked with Duke Energy to develop our communications platform, which has enabled Duke Energy's ability to deploy its smart grid initiatives.
We believe that we have a substantial opportunity to grow our business with Duke Energy. In addition to the 130,000 communications nodes scheduled for deployment in Ohio, we estimate that Duke Energy would potentially require hundreds of thousands of communications nodes if it implements a full deployment of smart grid communications nodes in Indiana, Kentucky and the Carolinas. According to Duke Energy, it is currently working through the planning process to finalize full-scale deployment plans in Kentucky and the Carolinas and has filed with the North Carolina Public Utilities Commission for the required approvals. Duke Energy is using information from its North Carolina pilot programs and its Ohio deployment to enhance its customer experience in its other service territories. We believe that substantially all smart grid communications nodes deployed by Duke Energy to date are our communications nodes.
For 7 years Ambient has been working with Duke and now that Jim Rogers, the CEO of Duke is leading the combined Duke/Progress Energy the chances are good that Ambient will be able to sell into Indiana, Kentucky, Florida and the Carolinas.
Looking at the financials, Ambient has produced $75 million in revenue over the past 5 quarters. All of this is related to the Node deliveries to Ohio. Based on the company's most recent quarterly filing the backlog as of March 31, 2012 stands at $29 million.
I am assuming that the entire Ohio project represents approximately $104 million USD. Gross margin for 2011 increased slightly to approximately 43% compared to approximately 41% for 2010. That means the total Ohio project yielded around $44 million in gross profit.
Let's do some future estimates here...according to the U.S. Census the state of Ohio has 5,127,508 households. The total number of households in the Duke/Progress Energy foot print is 21,790,635 according to the US Census.
(click to enlarge)
Now of these 6 states Duke has 7.1 million customers or about 1/3 of the total number of households. Assuming the ratio of 1/3 holds true for each state Ambient generated its Ohio revenue from 1.7 million households. Thus the revenue per household would be $61 each.
Take that number times the remaining Duke customers of 5.4 million and you have $330 million USD. With a 43% margin the five extra states would yield $141.9 million in gross profit. Keep in mind this is having only 1/3 of the market.
Clearly Duke is in the business of gaining customers. At some point it would probably make sense for Duke to just buyout Ambient and not pour hundreds of millions into the company via revenue. It will probably happen if and when the other states approve the smart grid upgrades. There is also maintenance revenue and as well all know once you go tech there is a never ending upgrade cycle every few years.
AMBT has a strange structure with 16.61 million shares outstanding and just a tiny 2.89 million shares in the float. We rarely see such small floats on the Nasdaq.
We've been tempted to buy shares of Ambient but its relatively illiquid and fear of the Duke merger made us nervous. If the CEO of Progress took over as scheduled he may not retain the Ambient relationship.
Now that this hurdle is gone we will look for a dip in the shares to gain an entry point.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/703431-ambient-the-biggest-winner-of-the-duke-progress-energy-merger?source=yahoo
Ambient Corporation's 100,000th Smart Grid Node Deployed
The Ambient X-Series nodes serve as the communications backbone for utilities' modernization efforts, enabling multiple smart grid applications
Jun 7, 2012
Ambient Corporation Participates in United Kingdom Low Carbon Networks Fund Technology Evaluation Project
Smart Grid Communications Platform provider takes first steps in European market
May 16, 2012
NEWTON, Mass., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ambient Corporation (NASDAQ: AMBT), a leading provider of flexible and scalable smart grid communications platforms and technologies, announced today that it has taken its first step into the European market with a trial of its Power Quality Monitoring application and energy sensing equipment.
The trial is part of the Low Carbon Networks Fund overseen by UK regulator OFGEM and is being run by UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), Western Power Distribution, and UK Power Networks. The focus is evaluation of Low Voltage Current Sensor Technologies and how they can assist the network operators in running their grids.
"We are delighted to be selected to participate in this project, as it represents a significant step forward for Ambient as we venture into new geographies with great potential," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient. "By deploying our communications platform with our internally developed software applications, DNOs can perform real-time current and voltage sensing, generating valuable data for the monitoring of their distribution networks and substations."
The Power Quality Monitoring Application is part of the Ambient Smart Grid® Communications Platform, which facilitates multiple smart grid applications, in parallel, and can use a variety of communications simultaneously.
Roger Hey, Western Power Distribution's Future Networks Manger, commented, "Ambient's participation in this project, along with others, will ensure that we have a clear understanding of the technologies available for Low Voltage Network monitoring. This will provide essential data allowing for greater visibility of the Low Voltage Network and, subsequently, facilitate smart networks."
Dave Openshaw, UK Power Networks' Head of Future Networks, said: "The predicted future growth in numbers of electric vehicles, heat pumps and micro-generation means that Network Operators will need much greater visibility of power flows and voltage quality on our low voltage networks. We are therefore happy to be working with Ambient and other sensor manufacturers to help us evaluate the contribution that current sensor technologies can make towards meeting our future need for critical data."
For more information about Ambient and its products, please visit www.ambientcorp.com.
Duke Energy CTO David Mohler speaks about "The Value of the Communications Node"
Duke Energy CTO David Mohler speaks about "The Value of the Communications Node"
Earning tomorrow?
Ambient Corporation Files Registration Statement for
Public Offering of Common Stock
Newton, Mass., August 19, 2011 - Ambient Corporation (NASDAQ: AMBT), a leading provider of smart grid communications platforms and applications, today announced that it has filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of its common stock.
Stifel Nicolaus Weisel will act as book-running lead manager for the proposed offering. Needham & Company, LLC and ThinkEquity LLC will serve as co-managers.
The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus. When available, a copy of the preliminary prospectus relating to these securities may be obtained from Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, California 94104, or by calling 415-364-2720.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
Fund managers are prohibited from buying OTC/Penny stocks. IMHO, starting tomorrow the volume will reach new heights because of the buying by fund managers.
Ambient Corporation Announces Listing on NASDAQ
Newton, Mass., August 2, 2011 - Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTGD), a leading provider of smart grid applications and enhanced communication platforms, announced today that its common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Company expects its common stock to commence trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, under the ticker symbol "AMBT". Prior to the listing change to NASDAQ, the company's common stock will continue to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board under the current ticker symbol "ABTGD.OB".
About Ambient Corporation
Ambient designs, develops and markets Ambient Smart Grid® communications technologies and equipment. Using open standards-based technologies along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for creating smart grid communication platforms and technologies. Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient is a publicly traded company (OTCBB: ABTGD). More information on Ambient is available at www.ambientcorp.com .
Ambient is in the July 4th issue of Fortune magazine.REAL-TIME MONITORING
Better yet, many outages—
which cause losses of some
$150 billion each year within
the U.S.—can be avoided outright. Communications technology from Massachusetts-based
Ambient Corp., for example,
is enabling utilities like Duke
Energy to install intelligent
sensors and switches across
its power distribution systems,
providing a level of visibility and
control that utilities have never
before enjoyed. “By combining
our communications platform
with software applications we’ve
developed, utilities can perform
real-time current and voltage
sensing,” says John J. Joyce,
Ambient’s president and CEO.
“That lets them spot spikes or
significant decreases in the flow
of energy before brownouts
or blackouts occur. It means
they can act, instead of react.
That’s vital, as one of the key
ways we’re going to meet the
increased demand for energy
in coming years is to deliver it
more efficiently.”
http://www.ambientcorp.com/Fortune_smartgrid_110704.pdf
Obama Offers $250 Million for Smart Grid DeploymentThe Obama administration unveiled a new campaign today to accelerate deployment of smart grid technologies.
The administration’s “Plan for a 21st Century Electric Grid,” which includes a new commitment of $250 million in loans from the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utility Service, will seek to show the results of 141 smart grid technology projects funded by the Recovery Act and create a stable of case studies from “first-mover” states to gain support from utilities, state regulators and consumers in other states that have not embraced or implemented smart grid programs.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, were among the high-level administration officials at today’s conference.
Unlike in 2009, when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded $4.5 billion in smart grid and clean energy grants nationwide, matched by $5.5 billion in private funding, the new program is not backed by a federal checkbook. A new commitment of $250 million in loans from the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utility Service, is the only significant new funding in the campaign, according to people familiar with the plan.
http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2011/06/13/obama-offers-250-million-for-smart-grid-deployment/?partner=yahootix
?"The details of Duke’s vision also highlight that there is no single winner. For certain mission-critical applications, public carriers will likely never be the ideal choice. The muscle of Duke Energy, however, is creating opportunity for other smaller utilities that might not have the bargaining power that Duke has when they come to the table with the largest telecoms." as per Ambient facebook page
Boston, Mass., April 28, 2011 - Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTG), a pioneer in the development of smart grid communications infrastructure, announced today that based on a preliminary review of its financial results, the Company expects revenues for the first quarter to be approximately $12 million compared to approximately $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, representing an increase of 613%. Ambient also expects to have its second consecutive quarter of profitability, and to generate approximately $1.1 million in net income.
"The continued increase in both revenue and profits through the sale of the Ambient Smart Grid communications platform validates our view that we are entering an inflection point in the real-world deployments of smart grid technologies," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient. "The modernization of our nation's grid infrastructure has long been touted as a necessity that will bring considerable benefits to utilities, customers and the environment as a whole. We are now seeing those promises become a reality, with the increased interest in scalable standards-based, two-way communication networks for the grid. We expect the trend to continue, and even accelerate, as operational deployments continue to demonstrate value."
To support its growth, Ambient continues to hire new staff, and presently has more than 65 full-time employees. Hiring continues as Ambient bolsters its engineering and services departments. Ambient will also continue to address the backlog of orders it has received.
The Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform provides utilities with a standards-based, two-way communications infrastructure from which to launch current and new smart grid applications. Ambient's smart grid nodes provide a universal architecture that empowers utilities to choose the right applications for different segments of their customer base, while the AmbientNMS acts as an intelligent information dashboard for network monitoring. Using the platform, utilities gain a level of visibility into their network operations previously unavailable, including enhanced basic applications such as outage tracking and energy loss detection.
At this time, Ambient is finalizing its financial results for the first quarter of 2011, and will report those results on or before May 16, 2011. The results described above are estimated, preliminary and may change. Since the Company has not completed the normal quarterly closing and review procedures for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and subsequent events may occur that require adjustments to these results, there can be no assurance that the final results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 will not differ materially from these estimates. These estimates should not be viewed as a substitute for full interim financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
For more information about the Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform, visit www.ambientcorp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial uncertainties and risks. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry, and that reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to, our dependence on one key customer, our ability to raise additional capital when needed to support operations, the sufficiency of working capital, the timing and delivery of purchase orders and receipt of payment in respect thereof, the risk of market acceptance of new products and underlying technologies, the competitive market generally and in the smart grid market specifically, the success of our collaborative arrangements, changes in economic conditions generally and the smart grid market specifically, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes that affect us, and the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Ambient, Ambient Smart Grid, Communications for a Smarter Grid, AmbientNMS, and the Ambient logo are registered trademarks of Ambient Corporation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders is scheduled for April 29, 2011 at 9:30AM EDT. The meeting will be held at 83 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459. Further details are forthcoming.
New Patents: PAT. NO. Title
1 7,864,012 Inductive coupler for power line communications, having a member for maintaining an electrical connection
2 7,863,905 Detection and monitoring of partial discharge of a power line
3 7,859,378 Housing for inductive coupler for power line communications
Nobody is selling, everybody is waiting for the BIG jump!
Ambient Announces Substantial Increase in Revenue Opportunity
X-3100 - Strong Start to 2010
BOSTON, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ambient Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: ABTG) today announced the receipt of purchase orders of approximately $9.9 million for the supply of its fourth generation smart grid node, the Ambient® X-3100, and related technology. The Company anticipates delivery of product to substantially be completed during the first six months of 2010.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091012/NE90671LOGO )
John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation stated, "We have spent more than 10 years collaborating with the innovative and early adopters of the smart grid space. To have our team's vision of a platform based on incorporating multiple communication technologies within one enclosure culminate in this latest product offering is gratifying. The initial success of the X-3100 positions the Ambient Smart Grid® platform as a market leading solution, unifying best-in-class products to the utility industry."
Ambient's X-3100 has the networking ability to act as a bridge, router or gateway on the electrical grid and is the Company's third generation of smart grid nodes to be certified for deployment on Verizon Wireless' network.
Utilities can now ramp up their smart grid programs by deploying smart grid assets at strategic locations, connecting current and future smart grid devices without an upfront investment in a full build-out. The X-3100's open standards and IP-based technology provides a communications platform, via both wired and wireless technologies, and can integrate with other smart grid devices, regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol.
For more information on the commercial introduction of the Ambient X-3100 smart grid node, see the Company's press release of January 13, 2010.
Its all about China! Duke CEO on http://money.cnn.com/data/premarket/ video today.
At the last stock holders meeting, JJ said a R/S was not going to happen.
Ambient EDC Eases Migration to Smart Grid
Ambient, Itron Collaboration will Provide Automatic Near-Real Time Legacy Meter Reads and Outage Detection
Boston, MA, October 12, 2009 - Ambient Corporation(OTCBB: ABTG) and Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) today announced development of the Ambient® EDC module. The EDC module provides utilities a true, efficient path from legacy automatic meter reading (encoder receiver transmitter commonly known as "ERT") systems to more advanced smart metering.
"The possibility of leaving assets stranded without a clear road map or without a viable option for incorporating such assets into a smart grid platform has prevented many utilities from deploying smart grid technology. The new EDC module, developed with cooperation from Itron, gives utilities a critical migration path linking their legacy meters to newer advanced communications systems without stranding recently deployed assets," said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation. "With greater than 60 million ERT meters in the U.S. alone, the market potential is very significant."
The EDC is an optional module integrated into Ambient's smart grid node. Strategically installed at various points along the distribution grid and always collecting data from surrounding meters, the EDC eliminates the need to drive-by each meter to collect meter reads. The EDC listens for messages from meters equipped with ERT modules and automatically collects and stores that data. The frequency of reads and amount of time the information is stored are configurable by the utility. Using the new EDC module, utilities will be able to get data periodically for near real-time meter reads, along with outage detection, instead of once-a-month or estimated reads.
"Itron has always believed in the value migration brings to utilities as their business needs for automation continue to grow. We look forward to working with our partners to create an open, industry standard smart grid environment. Ambient's EDC module provides another valuable tool our customers can use, especially those that are looking for ways to bridge to Itron's OpenWay® solution," said Russ Vanos, director of marketing for Itron.
Data collected by the EDC module will be transferred to the utility's meter collection software, and eventually to their billing system, as Ambient and Itron work together to complete the end-to-end process.
"This new application continues to demonstrate the flexibility and extensibility of the Ambient Smart Grid® platform. A node with the EDC module can also be simultaneously utilized to provide other smart grid applications such as distribution system monitoring," said Ram Rao, Chief Technology Officer of Ambient Corporation. "The EDC is currently being tested in the field by one of our utility partners."
Key Features of the EDC:
· Has a lower unit cost than previous solutions
· Flexibility for backhaul connections
· Provides a migration path from legacy systems (AMR) to smart metering, eliminating drive-by or mobile systems
· Allows the utility to have near real-time reads of meters
· Service outages detection
Con Edison Launches Smart Grid
Pilot Program in Queens
Will Test Solar Energy, Smart Meters, Plug-In Car Technology
New York – Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (NYSE: ED) announced today that it is launching a $6 million smart grid pilot program in northwest Queens that will test how various technologies support efforts to modernize the electric grid. It will provide customers with more information about their energy usage, and help customers use energy more efficiently and save on their electricity bills.
Smart grids integrate information and communication technology into electricity generation, delivery, and consumption, making systems cleaner, safer, more reliable and efficient. Con Edison’s 18-month demonstration project combines cutting edge technology with existing innovations that allow, for example, the utility to test and evaluate the company’s response to customer use and power interruptions.
“New York City will be a model showing how smart grid technologies can work together in dense urban areas,” said Kevin Burke, Chairman and CEO of Con Edison. “Smart grids will change the way we manage the grid, and can change the way customers manage their energy usage. Our vision is to identify grid innovations that can be reliable and cost effective, and provide increased flexibility for customers in the ways they make energy choices.”
One of the innovations involves a distributed generation project with the City University of New York to study how solar energy can be integrated into the New York City electric grid. The solar energy will be obtained from a 100kW photovoltaic system on the roof of LaGuardia Community College.
“With this ‘smart grid’ agreement, CUNY is partnering with Con Edison to create a roadmap for New York and an example for the nation as we move toward energy independence,” said Chancellor Matthew Goldstein. “The University’s faculty and researchers will continue to work closely with Con Edison to identify new solar and renewable energy opportunities.”
Con Edison’s comprehensive, urban city smart grid pilot will take place within the company’s Long Island City network, an 8.3 square-mile-area, which has a customer density mixture representative of other areas in the company’s system. The network entirely or partly includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside. The location of the smart grid pilot also gives Con Edison greater flexibility by housing necessary equipment on its own property.
Approximately 1,500 customers will receive smart meters, the main component of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Other AMI features include automatic outage notification, remote meter reading, remote reconnection and the ability to communicate energy usage information via other smart building technology to web portals or in-home displays. The web portals and in-home displays can show energy usage by appliance and nearly 300 eligible customers will test this technology.
The demonstration program also tests the integration of:
intelligent underground systems that can monitor, isolate and correct distribution problems to improve reliability;
a commercial customer’s energy generator and renewable energy resources, such as solar energy, into the grid; and
plug-in electric vehicles and their charging stations.
The research and development project is the company’s first step in an effort to expand smart grid technology throughout New York City and Westchester County. Con Edison will continue working with the state Public Service Commission, other stakeholders, and industry groups to grow and expand smart grid technology across the system.
By the end of this month, Con Edison will file proposals with the U.S. Department of Energy for stimulus funds to help finance approximately $375 million in smart grid projects. Stimulus grants, if secured, will broaden the scope of the company’s smart grid efforts. Some of these projects include the addition of more than 40,000 smart meters, more intelligent underground and overhead systems, and a sophisticated command and control network that will serve as the “brain” of an enhanced Con Edison smart grid.
Also, the utility has worked closely with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the non-profit organization that recently delivered a smart grid interoperability roadmap report to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology, which will oversee development and implementation of national advanced grid standards.
“We are working with Con Edison on the Queens smart grid project to demonstrate the concept of interoperability that will be critical for widespread deployment of smart grid,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of Power Delivery and Utilization at EPRI.
“This is another example of Con Edison working with our community to make an innovative national energy movement a reality here in our backyard,” said Gayle Baron, president of the Long Island City Business Development Corporation. “We're pleased the Long Island City area has been chosen to be one of a small number of communities around the nation to be included in a comprehensive smart grid project.”
“Queens looks forward to hosting new technologies that will serve as the foundation for a New York City smart grid,” said Al Pennisi, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "We will work closely with Con Edison to stay abreast of innovations that will have a positive impact on our business community, helping them to manage their energy costs or pursue green alternatives.”
Con Edison’s smart grid pilot project was developed after five years of research and development. Smart grid technology is part of the company’s EnergyNY plan (www.coned.com/energyNY), a blueprint that balances energy-efficiency initiatives with infrastructure investments to meet the region’s increasing need for energy.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $34 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison’s Web site at www.coned.com.
Detection and monitoring of partial discharge of a power line
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=%22ambient+corporation%22&OS="ambient+corporation"&RS="ambient+corporation"
Itron and Ambient Partner to Increase Smart Grid Functionality for Both Companies
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. - June 30, 2009 - Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ambient Corporation for integration of Itron smart grid and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions, and components, with Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform. The partnership enables a comprehensive and complete suite of smart grid functionality that Itron and Ambient will jointly market to utility customers.
Under terms of the agreement the companies will closely integrate Itron's leading advanced metering application for the smart grid, OpenWay®, with Ambient Smart Grid communications technology to seamlessly connect legacy equipment as well as advanced smart energy applications to the nation's power grid.
Itron North America senior vice president and chief operating officer Philip Mezey said, "This is further proof that the OpenWay architecture is adaptable to multiple networks in support of smart grid deployments. Building the smart grid requires unprecedented collaboration. Our partnership with Ambient will help both our companies extend smart grid benefits to more energy users."
The agreement covers multiple technologies from both companies, including Itron ERT® technology, used for automated meter reading (AMR); as well as Itron Fixed Network and OpenWay RFLAN communications. The partnership leverages Ambient's X-3000 node and AmbientNMS®, key components of Ambient Smart Grid solutions, and network capabilities utilizing Verizon Wireless' cellular networks.
John J. Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Ambient, said, "This partnership brings together Itron's core consumer and commercial AMI technologies with Ambient's high-capacity communications network for a complete 'utility to the home' smart grid solution."
Itron is a leading, global solutions provider to energy and water utilities, with more than 14 million OpenWay meters under contract.
Ambient designs, develops, and markets Ambient Smart Grid equipment, technologies and services.
About Itron:
Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Our company is the world's leading provider of intelligent metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas, water and heat meters, data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.
About Ambient Corporation:
Ambient designs, develops and markets Ambient Smart Grid communications technologies and equipment. Using open standards-based technologies along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for creating smart grid communication platforms and technologies. Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient is a publicly traded company (OTCBB: ABTG). More information on Ambient is available at www.ambientcorp.com.
Stockholders meeting: Sept 2010 grant monies from stimulas must be gotten by utilities that are ready to install smart grid technology.
Aron Viner attended: A Smart Grid Interim Roadmap Workshop I was held on April 28-29. On the basis of the consensus expressed at this public workshop, NIST issued an initial set of standards and specifications for inclusion in Release 1.0 of the Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Framework.
see: http://www.nist.gov/smartgrid/
Yesterday, Secretary of Energy Chu and Secretary of Commerce Locke, along with FCC Acting Chairman Copps, hosted a leadership meeting at the White House. This was an invitation-only meeting involving approximately 65 business industry leaders and state and federal regulators to discuss the needed standards to jump-start the updating of the country's antiquated electric delivery system. The meeting was intended to obtain a commitment from industry leaders to work together, cooperating in an effort to accelerate and conclude the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) efforts to create smart grid standards, thereby enabling interoperability.
Below, please find a release on Mr. Joyce's statement after the meeting.
Ambient Corporation's CEO Applauds the Secretaries of Commerce and Energy's Efforts to Create National Standards Allowing Smart Grid to Become a Reality
Washington, D.C. - May 18, 2009 - Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTG) today announced that its President and CEO, John J. Joyce, participated in a leadership meeting hosted by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and FCC Acting Chairman Michael Copps to start the creation of a set of national standards that will allow the smart grid to become a near term reality.
Following the meeting, and expanding on his comments addressed to his industry colleagues, state commissioners from CA, D.C., NY and OH, as well as the host Chairmen, Mr. Joyce issued the following statement:
Industry leaders must support the standards development process and encourage smart grid standards based on Internet Protocol (IP), while remaining wary of other "standards" that will attempt to find their way into the initial language of what is to come out of the early meetings convened to initiate the process for establishing smart grid standards.
In developing smart grid standards, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other standard setting bodies must take a comprehensive approach that fosters implementation today, and will allow for open development in the future.
Perhaps reflecting on how the open standards for the Internet were created is an important first step in the process. The growth of the Internet has been successful because all developers, regardless of size and market presence, have been able to use open standards and free access to develop industry wide applications and services that became de facto standards. To develop a best in class long term solution, the smart grid must be based on open standards available today, not standards selected by a group of self-interested parties attempting to promote proprietary technology guised in the words "standard based."
Ambient applauds the Secretaries' efforts and full-heartedly endorses the standard setting process as well as today's announcement of the increase in smart grid investment grants from the ARRA, which will allow utilities to deploy more comprehensive smart grid projects.
This meeting kicks-off the Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Interim Roadmap Workshop hosted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and NIST on May 19th and 20th. Ambient supports this meeting and is participating in the workshops.
Ambient is actively involved with developing smart grid standards by engaging with, and participating in groups such as NIST, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the GridWise Alliance and the Demand Response and Smart Grid (DRSG) Coalition. Ambient's engineers have also played a significant role in the standard setting process of the IEEE working groups, and will continue to actively participate in the future standard setting bodies.
The day a contract (with a ute)is announced, this price, now, will be the "dip ", never (I hope) to be seen again.
New Patent ... WOW!!!
United States Patent 7,529,073