Semtech's LoRaWAN Technology: Revolutionizing Smart Grid Standards

Semtech Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance semiconductor and IoT systems, is set to bring its expertise in LoRaWAN technology to the global smart grid standards forum. The company's marketing director of the LoRa® ecosystem, Rémi Demerlé, will deliver a keynote address at the 9th IEC-IEEE-BIS Smart Energy Standardization Coordination Workshop during India Smart Utility Week (ISUW) 2025. This event, taking place on March 18, 2025, in New Delhi, India, will focus on the emerging smart energy technologies and the standardization landscape.



The session, titled “Emerging Smart Energy Technologies and Standardization Landscape,” will highlight how LoRaWAN technology is transforming smart metering deployments worldwide. LoRaWAN provides low power, long-range connectivity solutions that enhance reliability, efficiency, and sustainability across utility distribution networks. As utilities face mounting pressure to modernize aging infrastructure while integrating distributed energy resources, LoRaWAN offers a critical communication backbone that enables real-time monitoring and control across vast networks.

Demerlé's presentation will underscore the significance of the IEC standard profile for smart metering (IEC 62056-8-12:2023), which evolved from a five-year collaboration between the LoRa Alliance and DLMS User Association. This standard has established a technical foundation that enables rapid deployment of interoperable smart metering networks. These implementations minimize packet loss even in challenging RF environments while maximizing coverage and ensuring low capital expenditure (capex), fundamentally transforming utility efficiency and operational economics.

The IEC-IEEE-BIS workshop serves as a pivotal platform for harmonizing international standards critical for the advancement of smart energy systems. This is particularly relevant in India, where the government’s National Smart Grid Mission is overseeing the deployment of 250 million smart electricity meters. Previous editions of the workshop have directly influenced the development of BIS standards and accelerated the adoption of IEC, IEEE, and ISO standards across India’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Semtech's participation in the workshop underscores the company’s commitment to driving innovation in IoT connectivity solutions purpose-built for utility applications. The LoRaWAN protocol’s proven capabilities in enabling secure, reliable connectivity for millions of sensors across challenging environments make it ideally suited for smart grid applications where performance and resilience are paramount.

The smart grid market size surpassed USD 60.2 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to expand at a 10.7% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. The industry will gain traction on account of the aging electric grid infrastructure and the growing need for digitization in the power sector. Governments are progressively prioritizing environmental sustainability and implementing strict regulations to reduce carbon emissions, which will drive the product adoption. Furthermore, investments in digital grid infrastructure are on the rise, driven by the desire to reduce restoration time and leverage advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things. These developments are expected to positively impact the business outlook.

The market landscape will be positively influenced by the increasing requirement of innovative communication technologies that provide real-time monitoring data and enable consumer load control. Leading manufacturers offer solutions, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), that allow utilities to integrate various smart grid systems and manage them from a centralized location. Additionally, the liberalization of electricity generation will facilitate the incorporation of these systems, thereby promoting the espousal of these solutions.

In conclusion, Semtech's expertise in LoRaWAN technology and its participation in the IEC-IEEE-BIS Smart Energy Standardization Coordination Workshop are set to play a crucial role in the development and adoption of international standards for smart energy systems. This collaboration will not only enhance the reliability and efficiency of utility distribution networks but also contribute to the global push for sustainability and environmental conservation.