Honeywell smart meters will now include Verizon 5G connectivity so utilities and end users can remotely access essential data, better manage energy usage and resources, and streamline operations to help alleviate strain on the grid.

The Verizon-connected Honeywell smart meters provide utility companies with a reliable and secure cellular network capable of sending information about energy usage, grid conditions and equipment performance. This information can be fed into utility management platforms such as Honeywell Forge Performance+ for Utilities to deliver heightened operational visibility that will support energy insights, provide near real-time bottoms-up forecast of energy demand, and help improve grid reliability and resiliency.

“Put simply, secure, reliable connectivity in smart meters makes it easier to monitor the usage of resources and the performance of utility equipment,” said TJ Fox, senior vice president at Verizon Business. “That means we can reduce waste, unburden our grids, and generally take time and cost out of the utility management process. With massive changes on the horizon for utilities, connected capabilities are going to be critical for managing evolving demands for energy and minimising outages or unforeseen maintenance events.”

Amol Motivala, president of Honeywell Smart Energy, added: “By leveraging the power of AI, cloud and 5G, we are driving the shift to autonomy for utilities and fundamentally changing the way energy distribution is managed by offering real-time connectivity. Through Verizon 5G connectivity, we are reimagining the utility ecosystem with cellular connected smart meters that provide the needed insights to help improve grid performance and customer satisfaction.”

The Verizon-connected Honeywell smart meters also support remote upgradability of functionality and applications, extending their useful life and reducing the need for a technician to visit in person. With remote connectivity, users can also anticipate fewer service interruptions and more reliable utilities.

Additionally, IoT management capabilities through Verizon ThingSpace are also available for the smart meters, offering visibility into the health and performance of their full fleet of IoT devices – including the meters – from a single source.

“With the growth of IoT for utilities, there’s a clear trend towards using cellular-connected intelligence to monitor the grid for operational efficiency, health, resiliency, energy usage and overall performance,” said John Marcus, senior principal analyst at GlobalData (www.globaldata.com). “This is especially important as charging infrastructure and energy-management innovations continue to proliferate and are poised for rapid growth. Cellular connectivity, with its inherent security and reliability, is one of the most effective ways to enable the intelligence that can help unburden the grid and more efficiently, intelligently manage energy resources.”

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Verizon Communications (verizon.com) is headquartered in New York, serving countries worldwide.