Intermatic Teams with Broadband Energy Networks to Deliver 'Smart Grid' Energy Automation Solutions

Collaboration jumpstarts commercial demand response for worldwide Smart Grid deployments.

Spring Grove, IL (PRWEB) October 13, 2007 -- Intermatic, Inc. (Intermatic) and Broadband Energy Networks, Inc. (BEN) announced today that the two companies are teaming up to deliver cost-effective energy automation solutions to electric utilities worldwide. The resulting Smart Grid solutions will enhance Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), by combining Intermatic's impressive and affordable InTouchTM (Mesh-networking wireless Z-Wave® control system) with BEN's standards-based C2k Automation Gateway and UNI-PLEX™ Energy Applications Platform. The collaboration enables utility partners to manage demand response needs and improve energy conservation initiatives, while allowing end-use customers to manage their energy consumption in a more automated, responsive and convenient manner.

Intermatic will offer BEN's innovative UNI-PLEX™ energy automation products, applications and services through its extensive distribution channels, which reaches electrical contractors, integrators, specifiers, and home builders/developers. BEN will include InTouch devices in its ongoing proposals to electric utilities worldwide.

"Intermatic and BEN have very complementary products and we are pleased to be extending our reach into the electric utility market," said Mark Garret, Vice President & General Manager Industrial SBU. "I couldn't think of a better use for our new InTouch control products, than to help reduce the enormous burden placed upon our nation's limited energy resources and aging infrastructure." The collaborative projects will integrate Intermatic's hardware and BEN's utility gateway, software and services for the delivery of automated demand response and energy management solutions, and energy conservation programs to the worldwide electric utility industry.

"BEN has developed interactive technology that enables energy conservation utilizing new standards-based devices as well as myriad legacy devices currently installed in millions of buildings and homes across the electric grid. Intermatic has a long history of delivering high quality, high value energy controls. BEN is teaming with Intermatic and other key utility industry partners to enable and deliver comprehensive demand response solutions that can be deployed on a mass scale," stated Jon Rappaport, BEN's Vice President of Business Development. "Having worked with Intermatic over many years, I have every confidence in their manufacturing prowess and channel development -- together we are addressing the global need for serious energy conservation."

BEN will demonstrate the combined solution in booth #229 at the AMRA AutovationSM 2007 symposium, which runs from September 30th - October 3rd at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada - USA.

About Intermatic, Inc.
Intermatic Inc. is a 116 year-old international, full-line manufacturer of industrial and commercial products that include: electronic and mechanical timers, home automation controls, photo controls, pool and spa controls, professional landscape lighting and surge protection devices. Intermatic also manufactures the Malibu® brand of outdoor lighting products, and is one of Crain's top 100 privately owned businesses in Chicago. www.intermatic.com

About BEN
Broadband Energy Networks (BEN) is a market leading technology company providing electric utilities with field-proven Smart Grid and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solutions and services, featuring secure end-to-end IP connectivity. The company's patented C2k automation gateway and UNI-PLEX™ utility applications integrate, monitor, and control systems and devices across the electric grid with smart meters and customer premise equipment, from thermostats and loads to solar and DG systems. UNI-PLEX utility applications include Demand Response and Grid Monitoring to maximize overall system efficiency and reliability. UNI-PLEX also features a real-time Consumer Energy Information Portal.

BEN combines a robust, standards-based open platform with a compelling business model, to deliver viable Smart Grid solutions today for utilities worldwide. Founded in 2002, the venture backed company is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia. For more information on Broadband Energy Networks, please visit: www.BEN-inc.com.

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