GridSense Announces Remote Communications Capability for PowerMonic Range

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GridSense, a subsidiary of Acorn Energy (Nasdaq: ACFN), and a leader in advanced monitoring systems that support distribution automation and grid operations of electric utilities worldwide, today announced the availability of a remote communications module (CH-HS1) for the PowerMonic range of Power quality and Disturbance analyzers.

As a market leader for years, the PowerMonic has provided utilities with a rugged, all weather instrument used to log power conditions and power quality events at substations and at customer sites. The PowerMonic range of portable power recorders offers comprehensive and reliable monitoring of low voltage circuits, supporting a variety of applications, including voltage investigations, load studies, harmonics analysis and power factor studies.

With CH-HIS, utility and industrial users can now access data cost-effectively and wirelessly from PowerMonic instruments over long distances. The remote capability now enables the online monitoring of real-time data and the ability to monitor a fleet of PowerMonics embedded throughout a large area.  In addition, users can now access new applications in permanent or semi-permanent installations, such as the monitoring of previously unmonitored electromechanical relays.

"The PowerMonic has been tested and proven for years as a capable and rugged power quality analyzer for the harsh utility environment," said Lindon Shiao, President of GridSense.  "With the remote communications module, the PowerMonic is transformed from an instrument to an intelligent online monitoring system for hard to access or remote areas of the grid and complements the company's platform of offerings that address the optimization of the T&D grid."

"Utilities are motivated to extend the life and modernize the over 50,000 mechanical relays in the U.S. market," said John Moore, Chairman and CEO of Acorn Energy.  "The remote capability now available makes the adoption of an inexpensive but high performance monitoring system even more compelling.  For as little as $10,000, the life of a $200,000 piece of equipment can be modernized, with its capabilities greatly expanded.  GridSense is leading the way for utilities to increase the productivity of existing assets and stretch their capital budgets to improve reliability."

The communication module is available for integration into new orders and can be retrofitted into selected existing PowerMonic products.  

About GridSense Pty. Ltd.

GridSense Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACFN), is an industry leader that provides remote monitoring and control systems to electric utilities and industrial facilities worldwide.  These solutions which include outage management, power quality monitoring, trouble shooting, capacity planning and demand response, provide network operators with the intelligence to improve efficiencies of grid operations.  GridSense has a range of commercially proven offerings and a growing base of utility customers worldwide.  For more information visit www.gridsense.com.

About Acorn Energy, Inc.

Acorn Energy, Inc. is a holding company focused on technology driven solutions for energy infrastructure asset management.  Our four businesses in which we have controlling interests, improve the world's energy infrastructure by making it cleaner and less expensive to operate air pollution systems for coal and gas-fired power plants (CoaLogix), more secure by providing security solutions for underwater energy infrastructure (DSIT), more reliable by providing condition monitoring instruments for critical assets on the electric grid (GridSense) and more productive and efficient by increasing oil and gas production while lowering costs through use of ultra-high sensitive seismic tools for more precise pinpointing of oil and gas reservoirs (USSI).  For more information visit www.acornenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties include demand and competition in the market for devices and equipment similar to those manufactured by GridSense and OMI, possible uncertainty about GridSense's and OMI's orders from customers resulting from grants by the U.S. Department of Energy and successful integration of OMI into GridSense.  For disclosure of additional risks and uncertainties which may affect GridSense's business and prospects and Acorn Energy, Inc.'s business generally, see the information under "Risk Factors" in Acorn Energy's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

Investor Contact:
Paul G. Henning
Cameron Associates
[email protected]
212 554 5462

SOURCE Acorn Energy