Defidev, Elster and DS2 unveil a new generation of IP-based Smart Meter technology

• Based on Internet Protocol (IP) standards
• Reduces capital and operational costs of Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
• Eliminates the need for store and forward hardware
• Supporting real-time meter reading
• Supports DLMS for interoperability between metering standards

Barcelona Spain, October 08, 2009 - Defidev, a French solutions integrator specialising in Powerline Communication (PLC) technology, today unveils a new generation of IP-based electricity meters, developed in collaboration with Elster and integrating DS2 PLC technology, at the 2009 Metering Europe Conference. Based on Internet Protocol (IP) standards and integrating higher bandwidth technology to enable advanced services, the meters greatly reduce the capital and operational costs of Automatic Meter Infrastructure (AMI) deployment for utilities.

Jean Pierre Lobert, Founder and CEO of Defidev, explains: "By incorporating IP standards, we have eliminated the need to deploy concentrators. Our Phoenix™ Gateway provides connectivity with a utility's central network and interoperability with all metering technologies (Zigbee, M-Bus, etc). The high bandwidth provided by DS2 powerline technology eliminates the need for store and forward hardware at intermediate points on the network to further reduce costs. Meter reading is done in real time, enabling advanced services, such as indicating consumption levels to the utility and customers in real time over the Internet."

The meters, which are designed to communicate with the Phoenix™ Gateway based in the street transformer, transmit the meter readings over the LV (Low Voltage) and MV (Medium Voltage) electricity networks. A further advantage of the Defidev-designed meters is their ease of integration with other AMI networking elements, including support for the Device Language Message Specification (DLMS) part of the IEC 62056 series of standards covering data exchange for meter reading, tariff and load control that provides interoperability between the Gateway and all the metering standards. Mr Lobert adds: "At Metering Europe, we are demonstrating interoperability between PLC technology, Zigbee and several regional radio standards, all interchanging data with each other. This simplifies the decision-making and trial process for the utility. The technology will be interoperable with the emerging ITU-T G.hn standard that has been selected as a Smart Grid standard by the US National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST).

For more information, please visit:
Elster: www.elstermetering.com
Defidev: www.defidev.com
DS2: www.ds2.es

The Smart Grid of the Future needs Standards to be set now

The industry's first 'Really Smart' Smartgrid will help consumers and power companies meet

_{About DS2
DS2 is the leading technology innovator and a global provider of high-speed semiconductor solutions for Powerline Communications and other wire-line network communications products. DS2 invented high-speed Powerline Communications delivering the first 200Mbps Powerline Communications IC to enable quality multimedia home networking, networked entertainment and broadband access applications to and throughout the home, office or building, as well as to and throughout urban and rural communities. Enabling the hidden multimedia network behind the power outlet is the purpose of DS2. Our mission is to engage our customers at the vanguard of innovation by creating the most advanced and sustainable powerline, coaxial and phoneline communications solutions.}

Source: http://www.targetwire.com/iba/2009/10/08/ds2053/ds2053_uk.html

Metering 2009 issue1- Some articles

• Metering 2009 issue1 - AMR Technologie in the Asia Pacific Region.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - A Regional study of in-home display units.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - Advanced ISKRAEMECO Management.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - CINTERION wireless modules.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - DLMS.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - Régulation of Gas Smart Metering in Italy.pdf
• Metering 2009 issue1 - STAR ENERGY-water-gaz integrated AMR system.pdf

Ducth specification on smart meter #normalisation

Ci-dessous une sélection des principales spécifications disponibles sur les compteurs intelligents au pays bas. Une mise a jour régulière est réalisée sur le site de l'energiened. Plusieurs technologies sont utilisées notamment: DLMS-COSEM pour les compteurs electrique et M-BUS et wireless M-BUS pour les compteurs sur piles.

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: Main Document V2.31

(08/07) NTA 8130: Minimum set of functions for metering of electricity, gas and thermal energy for domestic customers. (English version)

(01/09) NTA 8027: Minimum set of function for Smart Water Meters (only in dutch)

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: IP via Ethernet Requirements V2.31

This document defines the requirements for the IP via Ethernet communication. The main focus of this document is on requirements to be defined for (the communication device of)

the E meter.

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: GPRS Requirements V2.31

This document focuses on the P3 and P3.2 interfaces for Electricity meters and Data Concentrators since both interfaces can make use of a GPRS connection. The P3.2 interface is

introduced because a Data Concentrator (DC) can be placed between the CAS and the meter(

s). With this, the DC divides P3 into two parts, P3.1 and P3.2. The communication interface P3 (see figure 1.1) is based on the DLMS/COSEM standard and communication interface P3.2 is based on Web Services standards. GPRS meters and GPRS concentrators both contain 3GPP certified communication modules enabling them to connect to a GSM/GPRS network for data transmission. At a later stage, Grid operators might use alternative technologies for communication, for example UMTS, HSDPA, LTE, Wimax, SMS and/or Mesh.

Whenever the term Communication Unit is used within this document this applies for both the

communication unit of the meter and the communication unit of the DC since both can make use of a GPRS connection.

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: P1 Companion Standard V2.31

The goal of this companion standard is to reach an open, standardized protocol implementation and functional hardware requirements related to the communication between several types of Service Modules and a Metering System. Any specification in this standard is intended to encourage suppliers to develop their hardware and software in a common direction. Standardised protocols and hardware specifications are referred to as much as possible.

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: P2 Companion Standard V2.31

The goal of this companion standard is to reach an open, standardized protocol implementation and functional hardware requirements related to the communication between several types of meter and an electricity meter. The communication bus is based on the M-Bus and wirless M-BUS

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: P3 Companion Standard V2.31

This companion standard focuses on the P3 interface for Electricity meters. The goal of this companion standard is to reach an open, standardized protocol implementation based on DLMS/COSEM. This companion standard is the result of a combined effort of the major Dutch grid operators and different manufactures who defined the necessary DLMS/COSEM object mapping.

(01/09) Dutch Smart Meter Requirements: P3.1 Companion Standard V2.31

This companion standard focuses on the P3 interface for Electricity meters. The goal of this companion standard is to reach an open, standardized protocol implementation based on XML/Webservices. This companion standard is the result of a combined effort of the major Dutch grid operators and different manufactures who defined the necessary XML/Webservices object mapping.

Source: http://www.energiened.nl/

Metering 2009 issue1 DLMS

Metering 2009 issue 1 - DLMS

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Presentations & Spre smartmetering dlms

IBERDROLA architecture open source cpl

Actaris à recement annoncé le developpement de produit compatible avec le protocol PRIME (PoweR Intelligent Metering Evolution).

IBERDROLA apporte la touche finale à la définition de son architecture télécom ouverte et libre de droit en préparation aux compteurs intelligents et réseaux électriques intelligents de nouvelle génération

IBERDROLA a consacré énormément d'efforts à la définition et aux tests d'une nouvelle architecture de télécommunication CPL (courants porteurs en ligne) ouverte, publique et libre de droit, compatible avec la technologie de compteur intelligent et l'évolution vers les réseaux électriques intelligents.

Première étape : définition et test de la couche physique (PHY), rendue publique en février dernier, reposant sur le procédé de modulation numérique des signaux OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) qui offre jusqu'à 130 Kbps sur la bande CENELEC-A et présente comme autres avantages une robustesse et une portée accrues pour un coût peu élevé.

IBERDROLA a maintenant présenté les spécifications MAC (Medium Access Control) et CS (Convergence Sublayer) après une série de tests probants.

C'est un pas radical vers une solution ouverte, publique et standard AMI (Advanced Meter Infrastructure) dans le cadre du projet PRIME (Power line Related Intelligent Metering Evolution) dirigé par IBERDROLA. Les partenaires du projet PRIME sont Advanced Digital Design, le groupe CURRENT, Landis+Gyr, STMicroelectronics, Usyscom et ZIV. Un certain nombre de distributeurs européens d'électricité et de fabricants mondiaux de semi-conducteurs participeront bientôt au projet.

C'est une étape cruciale vers l'objectif final, celui de définir un ensemble exhaustif de normes internationales qui permettra une interopérabilité entre les différents fabricants et stimulera la concurrence sur le marché du comptage, au bénéfice de tous les acteurs, et en particulier des usagers. Contrairement à d'autres solutions déjà commercialisées, cette solution ne sera pas protégée par des droits de propriété intellectuelle.

En plus des spécifications complètes déjà disponibles, IBERDROLA devrait, dans les semaines à venir, publier le code de référence rédigé en langage de programmation standard C ANSI totalement compatible, pour la fonctionnalité des couches MAC et CS. Ce code de référence commun contribuera à l'interopérabilité entre les produits de différents fournisseurs, tout en améliorant le délai de mise sur le marché.

IBERDROLA prépare un projet pilote portant sur l'installation de 100 000 compteurs CPL et 635 concentrateurs en 2009, avant de passer au marché intégral comptant plus de 10 millions de particuliers espagnols. IBERDROLA profitera également de ce projet pilote pour mettre en œuvre sa solution de réseau électrique intelligent (Smart Grid).

Les spécifications complètes, PHY + MAC + CS, sont disponibles sur le site AMI.info@iberdrola.es Un livre blanc sur le projet PRIME peut également être téléchargé depuis le site http://www.iberdrola.es/wcorp/corporativa/iberdrola?IDPAG=ENSMART_METERING

Source: http://www.targetwire.com/targetwire/2008/07/24/tw518fr/tw518fr_fr.html

Brussels, November 3rd 2008 - ACTARIS today announced the development of products compliant with the PRIME protocol (PoweR Intelligent Metering Evolution). PRIME is a project, developed by the Spanish energy company, Iberdrola, with the objective of establishing a comprehensive set of standards for an open, public and standard AMI (Automatic Meter Infrastructure) for the PLC.

Iberdrola has been working extensively over the past few years to define and test a new open, public and non-proprietary Power Line Communications telecom architecture that supports smart metering functionality and also allows smart grid evolution.

PRIME is a Physical and Mac layer standard definition based on emerging technologies that will respond to future markets. It is an open system that will allow interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers and will also ensure the growth of new markets so all players, particularly the end-user, will benefit from this approach.

"Actaris is pleased to join forces with Iberdrola on this project. Actaris is committed to the development of open, non-proprietary solutions based on DLMS COSEM and we are convinced that our contribution will be decisive in the success of this project" explained Patrick MORTEL, Actaris PLC Product Manager.

http://www.actaris.com/html/news-212.html

http://www.actaris.com/html/news-201.html

The European Commission approves the R&D OPEN meter project

OPEN meter dissemination message,
30 January 2009

The European Commission approves the R&D OPEN meter project, coordinated by IBERDROLA, with public funding of over 2,4 million euros

The Open and Public Extended Network meter (OPEN meter) project, budgeted over 4 million euros and granted more than 60 % funding from the European Commission, has the objective of defining and developing open standard telecommunication protocols and data formats for smart metering.

• The DLMS User Association is committed to develop, promote and support open standards for multi-utility meter data exchange. Its fast-growing membership includes utilities, meter manufacturers, other technology, service and solution providers and organizations with similar interests.

• In order to successfully achieve the OPEN meter objectives, a powerful European Consortium has been created, gathering, among others, the efforts of leading meter manufacturers and some of the largest European utilities into a well balanced Consortium of 19 members from 7 Member States.

• The European Commission has approved the requested funding for the collaborative project Open and Public Extended Network meter (OPEN meter), coordinated by IBERDROLA. The project proposal was evaluated by a panel of independent experts appointed by the Commission and obtained the maximum score among all the proposals presented to the FP7-ENERGY-008-1 call.

The European Commission, in the selection of research topics on smart energy networks, has considered that the large scale adoption of smart multi-metering equipment, potentially covering electricity, gas and any other network service and commodity, is today hampered by the lack of widely accepted open standards capable of guaranteeing the interoperability of systems and devices produced by different manufacturers.

The OPEN meter Consortium has responded to this concern by the Commission with the OPEN meter project, whose goal is totally in line with the objectives of the DLMS UA to develop market relevant data models and protocols for multi-utility data exchange, with a view of international standardization, and promoting open, interoperable solutions. The objectives of the DLMS UA are achieved by involving industry leaders in the development of the DLMS/COSEM specification, driving international standardization and promoting the benefits of these standards to potential users and agencies worldwide.

The IEC 62056 and EN 13757-1 DLMS/COSEM standards have been published in 2002. A second edition of IEC 62056 has been published in 2006. Recently, many new elements have been added to the specification to support smart metering. The revision of the relevant international standards has been initiated.

Members of the DLMS UA work closely with their partners in large AMI projects in many
countries all over the world.

The OPEN meter project will open up the market of smart multi-metering systems, enabling customer participation to energy markets, and at the same time allowing EU industry to take world leadership.

The OPEN meter Consortium consists of 19 members from 7 Member States and is a well
balanced partnership between network operators, equipment suppliers, research entres and standardization bodies. Market penetration of the meter manufacturers that take part in the OPEN meter project, over 80% in Europe, guarantees that the standards developed will have wide acceptance in the industry. The participation of some of the largest European multi-utilities, serving in all more than 100 million supply points, will allow for a comprehensive definition of functional requirements from network operators and energy suppliers.

Having CENELEC on board as a partner of the OPEN meter Consortium will facilitate the
adoption of the results of the project as the European open standards for smart metering. This has already been acknowledged in the recent draft standardization mandate from the European Commission to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI for the development of an open architecture for utility meters involving communication protocols enabling interoperability. The OPEN meter project is taking part in the standardization work, as it is relevant for the development of the standards requested by the mandate.

Interoperability will, therefore, be achieved, and customers and suppliers that wish to directly purchase their meters from different meter manufacturers will be able to do so, thus eliminating eventual Competition disputes that may arise from proprietary solutions that typically keep the customer captive of one single supplier.

The technological and scientific content of the OPEN meter project has already started and is structured in five technical working packages, along with two more working packages for dissemination and coordination, respectively. This simple collaborative working structure, together with a flexible project management, will allow for a quick dissemination of the results of the project as they are obtained and validated, and for an easy roll-out in different European countries.

The OPEN meter project will therefore contribute to the European Union energy efficiency targets and help reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.

The DLMS User Association through its global presence via its members, can significantly contribute to the success of AMI projects, helping to achieve such important legal, political, business and market objectives, as efficient operation of the energy market, better billing and customer service, better energy efficiency and energy savings.

OPEN meter Consortium members are:

• Utilities: EDF (FR), ENDESA (ES), ENEL (IT), IBERDROLA and RWE (DE). Also Netbeher Nederland (NL) representing all Dutch utilities.
• Meter manufacturers: Actaris (FR), Elster (DE), Landis+Gyr (C) and ZIV Medida (ES)
• Technology partners: Advanced Digital Design (ES), Current (CH), ST Microelectronics (IT) and Usyscom (ES)
• Research centres, universities: CESI Ricerca (IT), KEMA (NL) and Karlsruhe University (DE)
• Associations: CENELEC (BE) and DLMS User Association (CH)

The DLMS User Association, established in 1997, is a non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. It has 125+ members, of which 60% is based in Europe and 30% in Asia. It develops, maintains, supports and promotes the use of the DLMS/COSEM specification. It has certified more than 100 meter types to be DLMS/COSEM compliant.

Source: dlms