Last updated: 11 Jul 2007 Update History
Report Status: Archived
Report Pages: 130
Analyst: Stephen McNamara
Publication Overview
This annual report offers a wealth of information on the worldwide development of Broadband Power Line. Information on a regional level is also provided for the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. The report includes analyses, statistics and trends. It provides information and statistics on BPL development, including information on deployments. In particular the report examines BPL in terms of Smart Grids. Detailed technical information on BPL technology is also provided.
Subjects covered include:
Executive Summary
It is important to realise that Broadband Power Line (BPL) is more than a simple access technology and because of this it is not necessarily competing with other forms of broadband access such as DSL and wireless. A key differentiator is that these other technologies end at the switchbox in the premises, while BPL delivers to every power point in the house or business.
Furthermore, BPL can be a third access technology after telecoms and broadcasting. It has a range of extra opportunities that the other technologies don’t have. New developments in Demand Side Management (DSM) with home automation and home management are opening up. One example includes Automatic Reader Meter (AMR) facilities (ie Smart Meters), which would be of advantage to both the utility and end-user. For more information, see chapter 3, page 27.
These opportunities have led to the focus of BPL changing over the past year or so; from broadband connectivity to smart meters on broadband infrastructure. Global warming issues and the emerging energy crisis have also propelled some governments and utilities to look at the national rollout of energy-saving smart meters.
Our prosperity and way of life depends upon efficient and affordable energy. Based on current forecasts, the world will invest trillions of dollars in new (conventional) electricity grids. These investments are simply needed to meet expected growth. However the production and use of electricity accounts for around 40% of greenhouse gases, making the industry the single largest polluter. Smart meters would allow householders to reduce energy costs and energy companies to better manage their network.
This meter overhaul is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to propel utilities to the forefront of BPL development. BuddeComm advocates that a smart grid is needed as it could save energy costs, be good for the environment, cut operational network costs and open up opportunities for new home automation and home networking business opportunities. For more information, see chapter 1.2, page 14.
The next step for BPL is to make the transition from the current trial status to the commercial arena, and this will require the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework. In general terms, positive developments on that level are taking place around the globe. But as with most new technologies, progress is slow with full standardisation not expected until 2008. Although equipment prices have dropped drastically already, the key problem in 2007 still remains the high equipment costs. While some relief is expected, large scale rollouts will not occur before full standardisation has taken place. For more information, see chapter 1.1, page 1.
This report provides an insight and analysis into the trends and developments occurring in the BPL sector, with a focus on Smart Grids/Smart Meters. A global overview of the progress of BPL is provided, as well as information on a regional level including North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Smart grid applications
For utilities companies:
|
For consumers:
|
Related Reports
Monitor critical insights with our AI-powered Market Intelligence Platform gathering and analyzing intelligence in real time. With AI trained to spot emerging trends and detect new strategic opportunities, our clients use TMT Intelligence to accelerate their growth.
If you want to know more about it, please see:
BuddeComm's strategic business reports contain a combination of both primary and secondary research statistics, analyses written by our senior analysts supported by a network of experts, industry contacts and researchers from around the world as well as our own scenario forecasts.
For more details, please see:
More than 4,000 customers from 140 countries utilise BuddeComm Research
Are you interested in BuddeComm's Custom Research Service?
Have the latest telecommunications industry news delivered to your inbox by subscribing to BuddeComm's weekly newsletter.