New Zealand utility Unison Networks is implementing a smart grid project in its service territory in order to improve the reliability of electricity services and enhance efficiency.

The company has chosen Silver Spring Networks to provide a networking solution in Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua and Taupo that will support a range of solutions and applications aimed at increasing power grid performance and improving energy efficiency.

The project will help to establish New Zealand “as a global benchmark for modern, efficient and smarter energy networks”, said Silver Spring CEO Scott Lang. The company’s IPv6-based network solution uses its Gen4 technology.

“Silver Spring’s standards­based infrastructure allows us to leverage a single platform to provide many smart grid applications and solutions,” said Ken Sutherland, Unison Group Chief Executive. “Linked in to our fibre backbone, Silver Spring’s networking platform will become the cornerstone for our smart grid by enabling real-time communication with network devices, as well as real-time monitoring of the status and quality of customer supply.”