Echelon Announces Next-Generation Multi-Application Control Node to Accelerate Utilities' Grid Modernization Efforts

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/-- Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON), the world's leading control networking platform provider, today announced the new DCN 3000 distributed control node, a multi-protocol, multi-application platform designed to help electric utilities around the world accelerate and simplify their grid modernization and optimization programs. The DCN 3000 extends Echelon's proven, reliable grid technology with increased computing power and flexibility, establishing a more intelligent communication infrastructure between grid devices and the utility head-end through a variety of wireless and fixed connectivity options.

A powerful, extensible and easy-to-install data concentrator and applications processor, the Echelon DCN 3000 manages smart meters, sensors and other grid devices on the low-voltage grid. Its ARM processor and Linux-based platform support the latest security and networking features, as well as drivers and distributed applications that allow utilities to quickly and reliably adapt to changing requirements, integrate new technologies and progress toward their grid modernization goals.

"The DCN 3000 combines the performance of very high-cost proprietary data concentrators with an extensible, open-system approach that delivers unprecedented value and flexibility to utilities focused on improving customer satisfaction and managing an increasingly fluid environment," said Michael Anderson, Echelon's senior vice president and general manager, Grid Modernization. "This next-generation distributed control node enables utilities to map the low-voltage grid, while monitoring grid health and preventing problems more effectively than previously possible."

The DCN 3000 is a backward-compatible replacement for the Echelon DC-1000 line of data concentrator products, which are installed throughout Echelon's worldwide customer base and which power more smart meters than any other data concentrator in the world.

"The Smart Grid Gotland project represents an opportunity to see and measure the benefits of grid modernization programs first hand," said Lars Garpetun, project manager, Vattenfall. "We are planning to deploy the DCN 3000 in this project and look forward to how we can leverage this open, utility-grade applications platform to increase grid reliability and efficiency."

The Echelon DCN 3000 features:

• A new Linux OS supporting an app/driver platform and USB expansion for adding focused functionality after installation of the DCN 3000, as needed
• Backup power for Last Gasp, providing 30 seconds of uptime in case of power failure, with notification to system software in a single burst
• Low-Voltage Grid Mapping (LVGM), for determining grid topology; identifying connections and associations of meters, segments and feeders; and providing data for use in GIS integrations, detailed load analysis, phase balancing and other grid modernization applications
• Proven reliability, to ensure the availability of power consumption and power quality data needed to gain visibility at the edge of the grid
• Fast, single-message commissioning
• Multi-client Local Data Access (MLDA), with support for up to 16 external clients with secured read/write

Echelon has select early customer trials on the DCN 3000 planned for the end of the calendar year, with broader availability of the trial program in February 2014 and general availability of the DCN 3000 in March 2014.

About Echelon Corporation
Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON), a foundational leader in the Industrial Internet of Things, delivers all the elements necessary to design, install, monitor and control industrial-strength 'communities of devices' within the lighting, building automation, grid, Internet of Things, 'maker' and other markets worldwide. Echelon develops and sells complete systems and subsystems for target applications, plus system-on-chips (SoCs), embedded software, and commissioning and management tools for OEMs. With more than 100 million Echelon-powered devices installed worldwide, the company helps its customers easily and safely migrate existing control systems to the most modern platforms, while bringing new devices and applications into an ever-growing global Industrial Internet. Echelon helps its customers reduce operational costs, enhance satisfaction and safety, grow revenues and perform better in both established and emerging markets. More information about Echelon can be found at http://www.echelon.com and at the company's blog at http://blog.echelon.com/.

Echelon and the Echelon logo are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

This press release may contain statements relating to future plans, events or performance. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, the risk that Echelon's offerings by themselves or combined with other applications or offerings do not perform as designed or do not offer the expected benefits and savings; risks associated with international sales; and other risks identified in Echelon's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Echelon undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact:
Colleen Martell
+1 (408) 832-0147
[email protected]

SOURCE Echelon Corporation