Ms. Kim Homeniuk reports

ELECTRIQ POWER SELECTS SIERRA WIRELESS IOT SOLUTIONS TO TRANSFORM THE SMART HOME BATTERY MARKET

Electriq Power, a developer of intelligent and integrated home energy storage, management and monitoring solutions, stated at the Distributech conference that it has signed an agreement for Internet-of-things solutions from Sierra Wireless Inc.

Under the agreement, Electriq Power will integrate Sierra Wireless's small, rugged FX30 programmable IoT gateway with LPWA (low-power, wide-area) connectivity services into its PowerPod smart home battery systems. These wireless IoT solutions will provide Electriq Power with the secure, reliable and global connectivity it needs to deploy and manage intelligent energy storage applications on its PowerPods. With these IoT applications, installers can quickly set up new PowerPods, homeowners can optimize their PowerPods to meet specific power use and backup needs, and utilities can use PowerPods for demand response and other grid services that lower their costs, increase grid stability and improve customer engagement.

"Electriq has established itself as a very high-value choice based on our flexibility to deliver both retrofit and new solar installations, our PowerPod system's well-designed look and feel, and forward-looking software applications," said Frank Magnotti, chief executive officer of Electriq. "We're very pleased to team up with Sierra Wireless for secure and seamless network connectivity that simplifies the installation and use of our PowerPods for partners and customers, making these systems an even better value."

Simplifying connectivity for intelligent energy storage

Electriq's PowerPod functions with an Internet connection to receive software updates from Electriq's cloud-based information technology systems; to communicate with the company's mobile and Web apps for energy monitoring and management; and to connect to partner utilities' IT systems, making a simple, reliable connection essential for premium performance.

Sierra Wireless FX30 IoT gateway and its connectivity services use cellular LPWA networks to connect the PowerPods to these IT systems and apps, avoiding the need to set up a less-dependable Wi-Fi connection or a difficult-to-install Ethernet connection. In addition, LPWA provides better connectivity than other cellular technologies in buildings and underground spaces, where many PowerPods are installed.

By utilizing Sierra Wireless's IoT solutions, PowerPod installers no longer need to connect to the customer's home Internet by Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, making PowerPod installation easier and more efficient. Homeowners' connectivity is also simplified, as they no longer have to worry about a lost Wi-Fi connection or disconnected cable preventing them from monitoring or managing their PowerPod.

Using Sierra Wireless's connectivity services also provides utilities with the secure, reliable connectivity they need to offer their customers grid services with strong service level agreements, while also giving them dependable control of signal transmission to the PowerPods. This makes it easier for utilities to offer customers compelling new utility services using PowerPods, while also simplifying management and updates to these services over time.

"We are seeing a new industrial revolution take place, with the deployment of innovative IoT applications that enable consumers and businesses to monitor, control and optimize appliances, manufacturing equipment, transportation assets and other 'things' for the first time," said Jason Krause, chief operating officer, Sierra Wireless. "Electriq Power is at the forefront of this revolution, with intelligent IoT applications that change the way that installers, homeowners and utilities use home battery systems. By simplifying the connectivity these IoT applications depend on, our wireless IoT solutions will help Electriq Power's partners and customers realize even more value from their PowerPods and enable Electriq Power itself to invest more time and resources into developing its next energy storage innovation."

The Electriq PowerPod system typically includes an 11-kilowatt-per-hour lithium-ion battery, either a 5.5-kilowatt hybrid DC-coupled or AC-coupled inverter, the Electriq View (Electriq's energy monitoring platform), and a 10-year warranty with daily cycling of the battery. The PowerPod is modular and expandable up to three systems with three battery packs per system, giving installers and homeowners system design flexibility, with up to 16.5 kilowatts of power and 99 kilowatts per hour of battery storage.

Distributech

Electriq Power is exhibiting at Distributech in San Antonio from Jan. 28 to 30, in booth No. 717.

Sierra Wireless is exhibiting in booth No. 2137.

About Sierra Wireless Inc.

Sierra Wireless is the leading IoT solutions provider that combines devices, network services and software to unlock value in the connected economy. Companies globally are adopting IoT to improve operational efficiency, create better customer experiences, improve their business models and create new revenue streams. Whether it is an integrated solution to help a business securely connect edge devices to the cloud, or a software/API (application programming interface) service to help manage processes associated with billions of connected assets, or a platform to extract real-time data to make the best business decisions, Sierra Wireless will work with you to develop the right industry-specific solution for your next IoT endeavour.