ZigBee Smart Energy: The Standard for Energy Efficiency Available Now

Public Availability Will Accelerate Development of New Energy Management Products

San Ramon, Calif. – June 23, 2008 – The ZigBee Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, commercial and consumer applications, today announced public availability of its ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile. ZigBee Smart Energy is a ready-to-use solution offering utilities and technology suppliers a secure, interoperable, easy-to-use wireless global standard for developing products that improve energy management and efficiency for both consumers and corporations.

ZigBee Smart Energy was developed through collaboration between innovative utility companies, product manufacturers and technology suppliers in response to demand for a global wireless standard for better energy management. It enables wireless two-way communication between utility companies and common household devices, empowering consumers to manage their energy usage more precisely. ZigBee Smart Energy allows utility companies to implement more sophisticated programs for greater energy management, and to respond to government demands for energy efficiency. It is available for free download by the public at http://zigbee.org/en/spec_download/zigbee_downloads.asp.

In May, the Alliance certified 19 ZigBee Smart Energy products. These products represent a full range of devices necessary to implement a wide variety of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) programs. All ZigBee Smart Energy products are certified to perform regardless of manufacturer, allowing utilities and consumers to purchase with confidence. The complete list of interoperable products is available at http://www.zigbee.org/en/certification/certified_products_zse.asp

"Reliant Energy continues to be a strong supporter of ZigBee Smart Energy because standards accelerate the development of a broad array of products and solutions for our customers," said Glen Stancil, vice president of Smart Energy R&D from Reliant Energy. "With the introduction of certified ZigBee Smart Energy products, consumers will have the ability to get more information, choice and control over their energy use."

Demand for energy management systems has never been greater. Soaring fuel prices and competition for those resources are creating a global energy crisis. The expense to build new power plants has more than doubled since 2000. Growing public resistance for building more power generation or transmission often delays or prevents many new projects. With government legislation on the horizon requiring coal-fired generators to pay fees to emit global warming gases, the shift toward energy efficiency becomes more compelling and cost-effective. ZigBee Smart Energy provides an affordable and easy way to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

"ZigBee Smart Energy is a significant achievement because it is the only global wireless standard among utilities, product manufacturers and technology suppliers," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "The introduction of ZigBee Smart Energy to the public will exponentially increase and advance the development of more products and services to boost the energy efficiency movement. As more products get certified, consumers and utilities gain more choices in how they implement new efficiency programs in homes and businesses worldwide."

The Alliance has grown to more than 280 members, boasting a presence in 28 countries spanning six continents. Product manufacturers represent more than 50 percent of the Alliance’s global membership. ZigBee is the only standards-based technology designed to address the unique needs of low-cost, low power, wireless sensor networks for energy management and efficiency, home and commercial building automation, plus embedded network applications in the commercial, industrial and consumer markets. Companies wanting to participate in developing the ZigBee marketplace may join the Alliance by visiting http://www.zigbee.org/en/join/.

ZigBee: Wireless Control That Simply Works
ZigBee is the global wireless language connecting dramatically different devices to work together and enhance everyday life. The ZigBee Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 280 member companies driving development of ZigBee wireless technology. The Alliance promotes world-wide adoption of ZigBee as the leading wirelessly networked, sensing and control standard for use in energy, home, commercial and industrial areas. For more information, visit: www.ZigBee.org.

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