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 - 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: www.elstermetering.com

SOURCE: DS2