Airbee Wireless (fka ABEW)

[Argyll]

"Internet access, too, is important to Southwest Windpower because some of its turbines have built-in local-area networking.

"Our wind turbines are Zigbee wireless controlled so we can monitor it and give it an IP address at the router and from there we can look at the performance and can upload new software," he said.

Broadband Internet connectivity, particularly in rural areas with good wind, would give Southwest Windpower the ability to spot problems remotely.

As part of smart grid program, utilities could use that Internet connectivity to change the voltage of wind turbines in an area to reduce the load on the grid, Kruse explained.

"This is a huge step with our machines. No longer is it just an alternator that makes electricity but it's also a machine that you can communicate and interact with," he said. "

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10146075-54.html