ZigBee to Propose Market Leading ZigBee Smart Energy as Basis for an IEC Standard

ZigBee to Propose Market Leading ZigBee Smart Energy as Basis for an IEC
Standard

Move supports international standards efforts to meet evolving industry needs

SAN RAMON, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The ZigBee(R) Alliance, a global
ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy
management, commercial and consumer applications, today announced it is
proposing use of the ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile to the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as a basis for an IEC
standard. The IEC is an international standards organization that prepares
and publishes international standards for all electrical and electronic
industries.

Companies around the world have validated ZigBee Smart Energy as the clear
choice for next generation energy management solutions. ZigBee Smart Energy
is the only standardized home area network solution in the market today
meeting the tough requirements of leading utilities worldwide. The deployment
of an estimated 30 million ZigBee equipped smart meters is underway in North
America. Working with the IEC on an even broader global standardization will
benefit the energy sector and public by placing more emphasis on energy
management and smart grid development.

"The ZigBee Alliance is doing heavy lifting in the industry, offering new
possibilities for seamlessly integrating the HAN with the electric system to
deliver long-awaited value and functionality as part of a larger smart grid,"
said Richard Schomberg, convener of the IEC Smart Grid Strategic Group.

Greg Robinson, convener of IEC TC57 Working Group 14, added, "Basing and
harmonizing the ZigBee Smart Energy profile on the IEC common Information
Model (CIM) would improve data fidelity and minimize overall life cycle costs
for exchanging information among home area networks, metering systems and
utility back office systems."

"ZigBee Smart Energy is in wide use today," said Bob Heile, chairman of the
ZigBee Alliance. "Our goal will be to ensure the highest level of
compatibility with all ongoing, and soon to begin, deployments of ZigBee Smart
Energy. With its inherent Internet connectivity, use of global wireless
frequencies and robust security, ZigBee Smart Energy is in deployment around
the world."

The ZigBee Alliance and its members are already working with a variety of
organizations focused on smart grid technologies. Those organizations include
the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE), Digital Addressable Lighting Initiative (Dali), HomePlug Powerline
Alliance, International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Electric
Power Research Institute (EPRI), European Smart Metering Industry Group
(ESMIG), National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC),
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Open Smart Grid, other industry
organizations and various governmental authorities worldwide.

ZigBee Smart Energy - The Standard for Energy Management and Efficiency
ZigBee Smart Energy enables wireless communication between utility companies
and common household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances. It
improves energy efficiency by allowing consumers to choose interoperable
products from different manufacturers giving them the means to manage their
energy consumption more precisely using automation and near real-time
information. It also helps utility companies implement new advanced metering
and demand response programs to drive greater energy management and
efficiency, while responding to changing government requirements.

ZigBee: Control your world
ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different
devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a
non-profit association of more than 300 member companies driving development
of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of
ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for
use in energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information,
visit: www.ZigBee.org.

SOURCE ZigBee Alliance

Kevin Schader of ZigBee Alliance, +1-925-275-6672, kschader@inventures.com; or
Earlene Tang of GolinHarris, +1-714-662-5115, etang@golinharris.com, for
ZigBee Alliance