Device Networking Architecture Powers Texas Municipal’s DOE Grant Program

A large Texas municipal utility received a DOE grant to deploy modern options for controlling water heater loads in conjunction with programable thermostats. Their aging system of one-way pager-based devices is past its serviceable life. The utility received a grant to target MDU communities to validate the potential grid and customer benefits. Armada submitted a proposal and technical solution in Q1 2021 during the early stages of the DOE submission process. Upon grant award, Armada was not initially chosen to participate due to prior familiarity with down-selected companies. However, after a subsequent re-submission, Armada was ultimately chosen.

In reviewing past proposals, Armada re-engaged the prior submission and provided an unsolicited proposal that included new advancements in networking capabilities. Armada’s cellular + Wi-Fi communications platform and leak detection option resulted in the utility re-opening the selection process. The ability to provide enhanced networking solutions and “backhaul” of programable thermostats via the dedicated cellular network, along with the value of leak detection and maintenance monitoring, resulted in both MDU management teams requesting that only Armada provide solutions for their communities.