Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research delivers smarter energy with innovative smart grid pilot

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Trilliant, a global smart grid communications leader in delivering solutions that enhance energy efficiency, utility operations and renewable resource integration, announced today a landmark partnership with Comintel to provide Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research (TNBR) with end-to-end solutions for the utility's first integrated smart meter and smart grid project. TNBR is the wholly-owned research arm of Malaysia's largest utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), which serves over 7.4 million customers,   

The demand for energy consumption in Malaysia is projected to increase by five percent per year over the next five years, and is likely to double in the next 20 years, according to Mercom Capital Group. To meet this need, TNBR has undertaken an ambitious smart grid demonstration project to pave the way towards the large scale implementation of smart grid technologies. These technologies will ultimately reduce the nation's dependence on natural gas and coal, and help to withdraw from national electricity subsidies in the next four years.

The project is developed by TNBR with collaboration from Uniten (Universiti Tenaga Nasional), and is to be located at TNBR and Uniten campuses. As part of TNBR's project, Trilliant will be deploying its multi-tiered RF mesh technology for both the Neighborhood Area Network and Wide Area Network. Trilliant's 2.4 GHz RF mesh technology operates in license-free spectrum in Malaysia, simplifying the process for TNB to economically roll out RF mesh without requiring complex regulatory changes. The project is being managed by Comintel, a leading system integrator in Malaysia who is responsible for the end-to-end system integration.  

"We are thrilled to be working with TNBR, Uniten and Comintel to bring the industry's most innovative AMI and smart grid communications solution to Malaysia," said Bryan Spear, Trilliant's managing director for Asia Pacific. "TNBR's project is an important milestone in the path towards smarter grids in Malaysia to support continued economic growth."

Trilliant recently entered the Asian market with their standards-based 2.4 GHz wireless mesh network solution for AMI and smart grid. Trilliant's 2.4 GHz solution, which is at the core of a number of successful large-scale smart meter deployments, operates in wireless spectrum that is available license free around the world. The Trilliant Connected Energy Platform, used by leading utilities worldwide, offers utilities and energy retailers the widest range of options and flexibility to solve any smart grid business need, and specifically tailored to the business' particular goals, regulatory model, and service territory.

About Trilliant

Trilliant helps leading utilities and energy retailers achieve their smart grid visions through the Trilliant Connected Energy platform, the only communications platform purpose-built for the energy industry that integrates disparate systems of systems into a unified whole. The Trilliant Connected Energy Platform helps utilities and energy retailers enhance energy efficiency, improve grid reliability, lower operating costs, integrate renewable energy resources and electric vehicles, and empower consumers to better manage their energy consumption. Trilliant has worked with more than 200 leading global utilities and energy retailers, including Centrica, Iberdrola USA, and Hydro One Networks and is backed by prominent investors such as ABB, GE, Investor Growth Capital, MissionPoint Capital Partners, UMC Capital, VantagePoint Capital Partners and zouk ventures. For more information, visit www.trilliantinc.com.

About Comintel

Comintel was incorporated on 20 October 1984 and established a strong proven record as a Systems Integrator providing total IT and Telecommunication solutions for all type of applications. The expertise, experience and knowledge of the people have contributed to formulate robust and effective IT and communication solutions. Its strength and ability to differentiate itself in the competitive systems integration sector lies in its ability to combine RF components with IT systems. The dedicated team of experts and technical support staff are ably backed up by ongoing research and development in IT and Telecommunication. Our operations comprise of the understanding that businesses need strong networking solutions within its build. An efficient system that not only allows easy communication with one another, but also acts as a monitor, filter, and allows speedy transference of information is valuable for a company's operations to run smoothly, especially in the telephony and manufacturing industry. For more information, please visit www.comintel.com.my

About TNBR

TNB Research, better known as TNBR, has been the in-house solution provider for Tenaga Nasional Berhad since 1993. Situated in Bangi, Selangor, the R&D Centre provides a centralised, one-stop centre for technical solutions and innovation. Streams of solutions developed under various Applied Research projects have been introduced to the parent company which have contributed towards improving the overall operational performance such as power plant unplanned outage rate (UOR), transmission system minutes, distribution SAIDI and  others. While continuing effort on operational improvement initiatives in TNB, TNBR now is embarking on various Advanced Research projects in positioning TNB to be early adopters of promising technologies. For more information, please visit www.tnbr.com.my

About UNITEN

Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) is a unique institution, providing both academic programmes and engineering technology skills training within the same campus. UNITEN is one of the first private universities in Malaysia and is wholly-owned by the public-listed Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), one of the largest utility companies in South East-Asia. The university's programmes are focused on engineering, information technology,business management and related areas. UNITEN not only prepare its graduates to become knowledgeable and competent professionals, but also to develop them as well-rounded individuals with broad intellectual outlook. For more information, please visit www.uniten.edu.my.

SOURCE Trilliant