Vienna, Austria – As part of a smart metering pilot project, Wienenergie Stromnetz has ordered smart meters, secure data transmission and central management software for a meter communication system from Kapsch Smart Energy.
These elements are intended to relay transparent information about end user consumption and efficient grid operation. Smart energy management makes an important contribution to energy efficiency and provides consumers with detailed information on how to optimise their energy consumption and costs.
The roll-out of smart metering is regulated in Austria by the Smart Meter Introduction Ordinance (IME-VO) of the Ministry of Economics, which has set the goal of equipping 95% of Austria’s 5 million households with smart meters by 2019. Austria will then have met the EU target one year in advance of the deadline established in the corresponding directive.
Christian Schober (pictured), CEO of Kapsch Smart Energy, is pleased about the order from Wienenergie Stromnetz. This is the largest Austrian power grid operator with over one million customers, and Schober views it as a confirmation of the comprehensive smart energy competence at Kapsch.
Schober says, “We have developed a complete concept for intelligent energy management that satisfies all legal, technical and organisational requirements. This new energy management capability offers many benefits to customers, energy grid operators and the environment. To fully realise this potential, we are focusing heavily on data privacy, IT security and the availability of the associated systems.”
Comprehensive security management in end-to-end smart metering
Kapsch is delivering 1,400 smart meters from the manufacturer Echelon for the recently started pilot project. These devices reportedly satisfy the Austrian ordinances and have been approved and calibrated by the Federal Office for Metrology and Surveying.
The core of the solution is central meter management software that controls the entire Kapsch system and processes the meter data, which is transmitted over encrypted connections. The system can be expanded at any time for additional electricity and gas meters.
Kapsch Smart Energy GmbH – a company of the Kapsch Group – partners with energy supply companies to offer solutions for smart energy management. Smart metering and smart grids are important factors in achieving the goals of the European directive on energy efficiency and energy services.
The company combines the extensive know-how of the Kapsch Group in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with highly specialised provision of components such as smart meters. The core of the solutions, for which Kapsch Smart Energy can handle the entire planning, implementation and operation, is the internally developed, flexible and meter-independent system software “Meter Data Management”.
In addition to extensive analysis, reporting and alarm management functions, this software also offers expansion options for energy control, smart street lighting and building automation.
