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GridSense(TM), An Acorn Energy Company, Provides Affordable Monitoring of Electric Vehicle's Impact on Power Grid
[January 09, 2013]

GridSense(TM), An Acorn Energy Company, Provides Affordable Monitoring of Electric Vehicle's Impact on Power Grid


SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- GridSense(TM), an Acorn Energy (NASDAQ: ACFN) company that develops and markets advanced monitoring solutions for the electric power industry, has been working with utilities to monitor the effects of electrical vehicle (EV) loads on the residential grid. Using its TransformerIQ(TM) monitoring solution and Grid Insite(TM) proprietary software, GridSense(TM) is able to monitor the load on residential transformers without costly infrastructure prerequisites.



(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120504/NY01341LOGO)(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120426/NY96114LOGO) Two West Coast utilities are currently using the TransformerIQ(TM) and Grid InSite(TM) combination to assess their network's capability to absorb EV loads, in just such an environment. Although initial data indicates slower than anticipated adoption rates nationally for EVs, they are gaining popularity in West Coast US metropolitan areas whose populations are early adopters. Clustered in urban environments, EVs can place a major strain on our aging electrical grid.

According to a study led by Dr. Ghinam Putrus at Northumbria University, "EVs may be considered as active loads, increasing the demand on the network during charging, and as generators when operating in regeneration mode. Therefore, the impact of EVs when operating in both modes, charging and regeneration, need to be analyzed." Unfortunately, many utilities don't have intelligence on normal residential transformer load. Therefore, they can't predict how these transformers will react to the addition of disruptive EV loads. With TransformerIQ(TM), utilities can begin with a small pilot to develop a baseline for residential transformer load. The Grid InSite(TM) hosted platform lets them access the data via cellular connection quickly, with minimal IT involvement, and no long-term commitment.


"In TransformerIQ(TM) and Grid InSite(TM) we have developed a versatile tool that is solution for a variety of pain points on the electric grid. Across the world we are seeing utilities deploy this technology for data collection in urban, suburban and rural environments to aid in the resolution of their varied issues. Our customers are finding the combination of a cost-effective device that installs simply and non-invasively with immediate and almost effortless data access through Grid InSite(TM) to be extremely attractive," says GridSense Sales Manager, Brandy Henson. "It removes a lot of the pain of testing and piloting for new technologies like EVs and PhotoVoltaics. Utilities may have thousands of poletops, but monitoring even one can garner instructive intelligence. This system makes such monitoring very practical." About GridSense Inc. GridSense is a smart grid technology company dedicated to providing innovative, practical and cost effective monitoring solutions to the electric power industry. Utilizing in-depth industry knowledge and understanding of utility requirements, we provide technology and services that help the industry address the limitations of old and aging infrastructure. We apply experience and technical know-how with new insight and ideas to create intelligent, reliable and leading edge technologies that add value to our customers and shape the future of the modern electrical power system. For more information visit (www.gridsense.com).

About Acorn Energy, Inc. Acorn Energy, Inc., the digital energy company, is a holding company focused on making energy better by providing digital solutions for energy infrastructure asset management. The four businesses in which it has controlling interests, improve the world's energy infrastructure by making it: more secure - providing security solutions for underwater energy infrastructure (DSIT); more reliable - providing condition-based monitoring to critical assets on the electric grid (GridSense, OmniMetrix) and more productive and efficient - increasing oil and gas production while lowering costs through use of permanent ultra-high sensitive seismic tools that allow for a more precise picture of reservoirs (US Seismic). For more information visit: http://www.acornenergy.com.

Safe Harbor StatementThis press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that Acorn Energy, Inc. or its operating companies will continue to grow their respective businesses, or that any of them will meet the expectations or execute the initiatives described or referred to above. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties which may affect Acorn Energy's business generally and the businesses of its subsidiaries is included in "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most recent 10-Q as filed by Acorn Energy with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Leonce Gaiter, Tel: 916.372.4945, Email: [email protected] SOURCE GridSense

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