OpenHAN
Encyclopedia
The openHAN suite of proposed standards for home area networks and home grids is promoted by the openAMI http://www.openami.org and UtilityAMI http://www.utilityami.org. Both efforts aim to standardize powerline networking interoperation from a utility point of view and ensure reliable communications co-extant with AC power outlets.
Both utilities and vendors of home control have promoted such standards aggressively .. The openHAN label usually denotes standards favored by the utilities not other service providers. It should be distinguished from the openADR standards that were promoted to ensure open access to customer electricity use data by all service providers.
. Unlike most other networking standards it affects in-home networking between AC-powered devices. It primarily relies on AC powerline networking as defined by IEEE 1901 and packet management under ITU G.hn
. The closest DC equivalent is power over ethernet
(PoE). These likewise are used for smart thermostats and other smart appliances, likewise put power and data all on one wire, and similarly have about one gigabit capacity. Unlike PoE which requires cat5 or cat6 ethernet wiring redundant with the AC wiring, openHAN makes use of all existing wire (AC outlets, cable coax and telephone cat3).
In the openHAN architecture, "The display portion is remote from the measurement, communicating with the sensor using a cable, power line communications, or using radio. Online displays are also available which allow the user to display near real-time consumption on any device that can connect to the Internet. These displays can reduce household energy consumption by providing real-time feedback to homeowners so they can change their energy using behavior. A study using the PowerCost Monitor deployed in 500 Ontario homes by Hydro One
showed an average 6.5% drop in total electricity use when compared with a similarly sized control group. Hydro One subsequently offered free power monitors to 30,000 customers based on the success of the pilot. Blue Line Innovations also indicates 100,000 units in the market today." Other customer relationship management
tactics can be used to reinforce and encourage reduction of energy use, including using direct outbound messages.
According to the utilities involved, all smart appliances and smart meter
s (which also must meet openADR standards for energy demand management
) must meet the openHAN standard. Its appliance interface connector is meant to ensure that all openHAN devices can communicate with each other. The energy services interface defines how energy use is managed. Implementing companies include Synapse, the ZigBee
and HomePlug
consortia, Trilliant, United Illuminating, Ingersoll-Rand and others closely affiliated with the utilities and seeking to sell them more equipment.
In the US, the national broadband plan
has emphasized (in its "goal 6") that consumers must be able to share usage data with literally any service provider, not just their electric distributor, who must then be able to provide simple instructions or direct remote control of the consumer's residential appliances and home grid.
Utilities accordingly have been motivated to remain ahead of the technology curve and aggressively roll out these capabilities internally. "With increasing investments in smart meters and the smart grid, these systems have the capability of integrating AMI/MDM data from multiple vendor sources. Progress reports can be provided online and by mail, and outbound messaging can be Web-based and/or SMS text-based for maximum reach. When integrated with the billing process for either print or online presentment, the utility can communicate to the customer valuable information to increase the understanding of energy use, its drivers, how to save, and comparisons to standards in their area."
Both utilities and vendors of home control have promoted such standards aggressively .. The openHAN label usually denotes standards favored by the utilities not other service providers. It should be distinguished from the openADR standards that were promoted to ensure open access to customer electricity use data by all service providers.
Architecture
Perhaps reflecting utility influence, OpenHAN was one of the original NIST smart grid standards sanctioned for North America by NERCNERC
NERC may refer:* Natural Environment Research Council* Nashville & Eastern Railroad Corporation* North American Electric Reliability Corporation* National Engineering Robotics Contest...
. Unlike most other networking standards it affects in-home networking between AC-powered devices. It primarily relies on AC powerline networking as defined by IEEE 1901 and packet management under ITU G.hn
G.hn
G.hn is the common name for a home network technology family of standards developed under the International Telecommunication Union's Standardization arm and promoted by the HomeGrid Forum...
. The closest DC equivalent is power over ethernet
Power over Ethernet
Power over Ethernet or PoE technology describes a system to pass electrical power safely, along with data, on Ethernet cabling. The IEEE standard for PoE requires category 5 cable or higher for high power levels, but can operate with category 3 cable for low power levels...
(PoE). These likewise are used for smart thermostats and other smart appliances, likewise put power and data all on one wire, and similarly have about one gigabit capacity. Unlike PoE which requires cat5 or cat6 ethernet wiring redundant with the AC wiring, openHAN makes use of all existing wire (AC outlets, cable coax and telephone cat3).
In the openHAN architecture, "The display portion is remote from the measurement, communicating with the sensor using a cable, power line communications, or using radio. Online displays are also available which allow the user to display near real-time consumption on any device that can connect to the Internet. These displays can reduce household energy consumption by providing real-time feedback to homeowners so they can change their energy using behavior. A study using the PowerCost Monitor deployed in 500 Ontario homes by Hydro One
Hydro One
Hydro One Incorporated delivers electricity across the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a Corporation established under the Business Corporations Act with a single shareholder, the Government of Ontario....
showed an average 6.5% drop in total electricity use when compared with a similarly sized control group. Hydro One subsequently offered free power monitors to 30,000 customers based on the success of the pilot. Blue Line Innovations also indicates 100,000 units in the market today." Other customer relationship management
Customer relationship management
Customer relationship management is a widely implemented strategy for managing a company’s interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects. It involves using technology to organize, automate, and synchronize business processes—principally sales activities, but also those for marketing,...
tactics can be used to reinforce and encourage reduction of energy use, including using direct outbound messages.
According to the utilities involved, all smart appliances and smart meter
Smart meter
A smart meter is usually an electrical meter that records consumption of electric energy in intervals of an hour or less and communicates that information at least daily back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes. Smart meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the...
s (which also must meet openADR standards for energy demand management
Energy demand management
Energy demand management, also known as demand side management , is the modification of consumer demand for energy through various methods such as financial incentives and education...
) must meet the openHAN standard. Its appliance interface connector is meant to ensure that all openHAN devices can communicate with each other. The energy services interface defines how energy use is managed. Implementing companies include Synapse, the ZigBee
ZigBee
ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on an IEEE 802 standard for personal area networks. Applications include wireless light switches, electrical meters with in-home-displays, and other consumer and industrial...
and HomePlug
HomePlug
HomePlug is the family name for various power line communications specifications that support networking over existing home electrical wiring. Several specifications exist under the HomePlug moniker, with each offering unique performance capabilities and coexistence or compatibility with other...
consortia, Trilliant, United Illuminating, Ingersoll-Rand and others closely affiliated with the utilities and seeking to sell them more equipment.
Utility rationale
A major rationale for a single set of openHAN standards is for the utilities themselves to provide a unified home energy monitor that "provides prompt, convenient feedback on electrical or other energy use. Devices may also display cost of energy used, and estimates of greenhouse gas emissions. Various studies have shown a reduction in home energy use of 4-15% through use of home energy display. Electricity use may be measured with an inductive clamp placed around the electric main, via the electric meter (either through an optical port, or by sensing the meters actions), by communicating with a smart meter, or by direct connection to the electrical system." Such reductions are contingent on every smart appliance reporting to a single central monitor.In the US, the national broadband plan
National Broadband Plan (United States)
Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan, unveiled March 16, 2010, is a FCC plan which deals with improving broadband Internet access throughout the United States. One goal was providing 100 million American households with access to 100 Mbit/s connections by 2020...
has emphasized (in its "goal 6") that consumers must be able to share usage data with literally any service provider, not just their electric distributor, who must then be able to provide simple instructions or direct remote control of the consumer's residential appliances and home grid.
Utilities accordingly have been motivated to remain ahead of the technology curve and aggressively roll out these capabilities internally. "With increasing investments in smart meters and the smart grid, these systems have the capability of integrating AMI/MDM data from multiple vendor sources. Progress reports can be provided online and by mail, and outbound messaging can be Web-based and/or SMS text-based for maximum reach. When integrated with the billing process for either print or online presentment, the utility can communicate to the customer valuable information to increase the understanding of energy use, its drivers, how to save, and comparisons to standards in their area."