1. The Emerging Role of Standards in BPL’s Development Cycle Bruce Renz, Principal Technical Architect June 7, IEEE Denver

2. Agenda Introduction Amperion’s Approach to BPL
9/21/2018
Agenda
Introduction
Amperion’s Approach to BPL
The BPL-Enabled Power Grid
Electrical Noise Vs. BPL Performance
PES Standards Focus: Safety and Reliability

3. Broadband Over Powerlines: An Opportunity to be Seized
9/21/2018
Broadband Over Powerlines: An Opportunity to be Seized
World’s most pervasive infrastructure
More than 4 Billion Customers - that’s ALL users of data
Cost effective way to reach customers
Will reach customers that have no opportunity to receive broadband in any other way.
Enables utility to generate revenue and save money in operating efficiencies/better reliability
Broadband demand continues to grow
There is no stopping the thirst for broadband

4. Unique, patented, meaningful barrier to entry
The Technology
Unique, patented, meaningful barrier to entry

5. Simple BPL Building Blocks
9/21/2018
Simple BPL Building Blocks
Injector
Injector: Launches signal on wire
Also a WiFi Access Point
WiFi
Repeater: Extends network range
Rcv’s & regenerates signal for next network segment
Also a WiFi Access Point
Repeater
WiFi
Extractor: Rcv’s signal and converts to WiFi
WiFi
Extractor

6. How does Amperion Connect Work?
9/21/2018
How does Amperion Connect Work?
Small & Medium Business
SOHO and Residential
Falcon overhead PLC
Substation
Transformer
<- Injector
Transformer
Lynx underground PLC
20 Mbps
40-70 HH passed per device
$60/HH passed today
$15-40/HH passed tomorrow

7. Technological Advantages
9/21/2018
Technological Advantages
SAFETY
PowerWiFi access provides a safe & economical way to connect and provision service
No LV wires emissions
Tested & approved by AEP Dolan Labs, Lightning Technology, NEETRAC
STANDARDS BASED
Off the shelf CPE …“buy anywhere”
WiFi is already at scale of 10’s of millions (low cost)
Continuous Advances
HIGH SPEED
Up to 24+ Mbps
ROBUST DESIGN
Built for carrier class and harsh environmental conditions & temperatures
PROFITABLE
Near “zero” CPE cost
Household/Businesses passed per extraction unit

8. Technological Advantages
9/21/2018
Technological Advantages
RAPID DEPLOYMENT
Installation uses standard utility tools & techniques minimizing crew time
Typical installation AND provisioning is about an 1 hour including bucket truck placement
COVERAGE
Stackable repeaters extend Powerline signal with minimal latency
PowerWiFi range has been shown up to 750 ft. on OH and 600 ft. on UG
Electric grid becomes one huge hot spot

9. Amperion Connect™ Products
9/21/2018
Amperion Connect™ Products
Falcon™
Griffin™
Lynx™
Overhead – Wire Mount
Overhead – Pole Mount
Underground

10. Installations In The Field
9/21/2018
Installations In The Field
Pole Mount Griffin
Lynx Injector at the Substation
Lynx mounted
in transformer
Falcon with Power unit

11. Insulated Coupler BIL Test
9/21/2018
Insulated Coupler BIL Test

12. Insulated Coupler Short Circuit Test
9/21/2018
Insulated Coupler Short Circuit Test

13. Services Enabled by Powerline
9/21/2018
Services Enabled by Powerline
Broadband
Surfing
Streaming
Gaming
VoIP
Core Utility
AMR
Capacitor Bank Control
Device Activation/Monitoring
Station Security Monitoring
Load Management
PowerWiFi
Mobile
Roaming
Backhaul
Cell Towers
Remote DSLAMs
LV PLC

14. Amperion’s BPL Enhance Utility Operations
9/21/2018
Amperion’s BPL Enhance Utility Operations
CUSTOMER INTERFACE
Automatic meter reading
Home gateway (banking, bundled services)
Service connect/disconnect
Prepaid metering
Pinpointing of power quality problem source
for customer representative applications
availability to police/fire (ex: Broomfield, CO)
Energy theft detection
LOAD and DISTRIBUTED GENERATION MANAGEMENT
Demand-side management
Real-time price signaling to customers
Centralized dispatch of distributed generation
Islanding of distributed generation and matched load
Circuit load measurement for distributed gen. (peak shaving)
Dynamic loading of station transformers
DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION
Automation of line sectionalizing devices (recloser or switch)
VAR control (capacitors, regulator, voltage measurements)
Isolation of faults on single phases; rapid restoration
Verification that capacitor banks are switching as expected
Outage location (within 1,000 feet or so) and notification
DIAGNOSTIC MONITORING
Measure conductor temperature, line voltage, status of line arrestors, fuses, line transformer
Analyze line noise (EMI analysis)
Improved real-time monitoring of underground networks
Better knowledge of electrical losses
Station to station networking (communications channel)
Detection of cable deterioration
OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT
Lineman access to maps, instruction book
Create central repository for data fed by PLC reporting
Work management; crew reporting via PLC/radio link
Asset security monitoring
Develop power flow profile in real time
SYSTEM PROTECTION
Fault recognition and location*
Replacement for transmission carrier current communications
Adaptive relay setting
*Michigan now fines Utilities each time there is an outage, and bases the fine on the duration of the outage
Utility Apps drive adoption, justify CAPEX, & provide efficiencies & a regulatory strategy; A $5B US market alone**
**MSDW Estimate, Dec 2002

15. Future Advancements Technology
<preso name>
9/21/2018
9/21/2018
Future Advancements
Technology
Higher delivered throughput (20+Mbps now- 100Mbps coming)
Powerline Reach
PowerWiFi Coverage
Increased range and in-building penetration
Mesh networking capability
High Voltage Product Line
Physical Characteristics
Size, Weight, Power Consumption
Standards and interoperability
Applications
Broadband Applications; driven into premise and personalized
Integrated multimedia in-premise
Smart Home applications
Mobility
Costs
Process
Amperion, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary

16. Regulatory Considerations
<preso name>
9/21/2018
Regulatory Considerations
Amperion, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary

17. Key Regulatory Issues to be Addressed
9/21/2018
Key Regulatory Issues to be Addressed
PLC vendors must comply with FCC’s radio frequency emissions standards
PLC emits RF signals; FCC Part 15 limits what can be radiated without a license. Amperion products operate from MHz, but PLC equipment could operate up to 88 MHz
Amperion’s products comply with existing FCC regulations; any relaxation enhances performance
PLC vendors must determine fees between regulated utility and service provider
Utility must be compensated for use of wires, attachments, and substation real estate
Fees must not be so burdensome as to discourage deployment of PLC products
PLC encourages competition
PLC provides competitive alternative for ISPs that can use this technology to provide services
PLC deployments provide open access at the ISP level; any provider can utilize the equipment
Technical limitation: only one MV PLC provider can deploy equipment on the same wires
Amperion exploring the means for coexistence of multiple MV PLC providers on a single network

18. BPL Can Thrive Under Existing FCC Rules
9/21/2018
BPL Can Thrive Under Existing FCC Rules
“I wish to emphasize that the (NOI) should in no way slow down BPL deployment. Several companies have told me they can deploy BPL under existing rules. I strongly support such efforts. This inquiry is meant to facilitate BPL technology.”
Commissioner Kevin Martin - April 23, 2003

19. BPL Can Reduce Distribution Line Radio Interference
9/21/2018
BPL Can Reduce Distribution Line Radio Interference
Electric distribution lines can be noisy
Noise is caused by loose hardware, cracked insulators, deteriorating insulation, broken wires, etc
Resultant noise is broadband and impacts BPL
BPL deployments reveal noise sources
Most utilities gladly make repairs, eliminating future electrical problems
BPL continuously monitors lines for new noise sources

20. Lost in the Electrical Noise
9/21/2018
Lost in the Electrical Noise

21. Amperion a Leader in BPL Industry
9/21/2018
Amperion a Leader in BPL Industry
Participating in BPL industry groups to form strong, unified voice
Amperion helped create the United PowerLine Council
UPLC seeking cooperation among industry groups (IEEE, PLCforum, EPRI, EEI, etc.)
approaching FCC, legislators and other interested parties such as Homeland Security office
actively promoting industry
helping to develop standards
Monitoring/Influencing Legislative & Regulatory Activities
Working with FCC Office of Engineering & Technology
Meeting with key legislators to influence broadband legislation
Identifying gov’t funding opportunities: broadband deployments to underserved areas
Interacting with state Public Utility Commissions to educate them on the benefits of BPL

22. Customer Deployments <preso name> 9/21/2018
Amperion, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary

23. Deployment Sites Birmingham, AL Dublin, OH Boise, ID Allentown, PA
9/21/2018
Deployment Sites
Dublin, OH
Technical Trial Site
Utility Based Services demonstration
Allentown, PA
Commercial deployment
Residential and Small-Medium Business Trial
Raleigh, NC
Residential, Small-Medium Business, and Utility Based Applications
Expanding deployment now
Birmingham, AL
Residential Deployment
Expanding in 2004
Boise, ID
Commercial deployment
Residential and Small-Medium Business Trial
Penn Yan, NY
Rural and Small Bus
Expanding to serve entire community
Broadband
High speed data connectivity
DVD quality video
Streaming audio and video
Voice over IP
Bulk file download
Utility Functionality Demonstrated
AMR
Capacitor Bank Control
Device Activation/Monitoring
Station Security Monitoring
Load Management

24. Typical Customer Reaction
9/21/2018
Typical Customer Reaction
"I had been very skeptical about broadband PLC. But after testing Amperion's system for the past several months I can say now, unequivocally, that PLC works and works well. We hope to use our grid to deliver broadband to our customers, and at the same time we may be able to improve our internal operations with utility-centric functions such as cable monitoring and system automation. Ultimately, our customers and our shareholders are the ones that will benefit."
Matt Oja, Progress Energy

25. BPL Standard’s Purpose
9/21/2018
BPL Standard’s Purpose
Since some BPL equipment could be accessible to the general public, standards are needed to insure public safety
Standards will enable utilities to quickly develop a BPL program without investigating every possible hardware solution for safety and useability.
Non-utility personnel, working in close proximity to areas that are commonly considered off-limits, require a clear delineation of acceptable procedures, and detailed construction practices that will provide them a safe working environment.

26. BPL Standard’s Proposed Scope
9/21/2018
BPL Standard’s Proposed Scope
Provide Utilities and Manufacturers standards for the commonly used hardware for BPL installations
Provide standard installation, maintenance and operation methods to ensure the safety of both Utility and Non-utility personnel working on BPL equipment.
This standard will not cover data transmission, protocols, emissions or other aspects of BPL related to the internal workings of this technology.

27. Typical Standardization Topics
9/21/2018
Typical Standardization Topics
Safety Standards – Overhead Couplers
Maximum weight
Dielectric Withstand
BIL Testing Methods
Hot-Stick Application
Safety Standards – Pole-mount Enclosures
Grounding – utility space and communications space installation
LV and MV connection standards and insulation levels.
Safety Standards – Pad-mount Enclosures

28. BPL’s Time Has Finally Arrived
9/21/2018
BPL’s Time Has Finally Arrived
The technical questions have mostly been answered
The economic advantages will grow with scale
The utility benefits will include both better electric system reliability and a new revenue stream
Broadband access will be extended to populations that other technologies can not afford to reach
BPL performance will get better and better as more R&D funds flow back into product development
New jobs will be created to support this brand new industry