Revolution in the distribution (use of the technology power line communication in the transmission of data, voice and images)

Technology development caused a real revolution inside the electric power distribution industry. The significant news came from the solution knows as power line communication (PLC) or broadband over power line communication (BPL) as solution for data, voice and images transmission transported by the electric grid. This new technology which is already in Brazil in several commercial trials, will uprising all services from electric power distribution companies thanks to a data transmission that will allow services, such as remote reader, automated motorized switches in medium tension, connection and reconnection services, grid supervision, load management, halt frauds, etc. Also this technology permit services as high speed Ethernet, digital telephony, videoconference and video surveillance, and residential automation, adding value to the infrastructure electric grid. In this way one of the most attractive business will be the additional revenue that came from multimedia services, which will produce resources to build up the own distribution companies services. This paper will address to the technology status, will present several business trials geared by AES Eletropaulo in your electric grid and its results as well as its regulatory framework in Brazil.