EnergyICT wins EANDIS contract for first Smart Metering pilot in Belgium
Flemish distribution grid operator EANDIS, together with grid operators Infrax and PBE, hasannounced to initiate a pilot to introduce the concept of smart metering in Flanders.
EANDIS, who carries out exploitation tasks on behalf of seven Flemish grid operators for electricity and gas, selected EnergyICT to help test EANDIS’ smart metering concept and deliver the required metering infrastructure and meter data management system.
The pilot entails the installation of 4.200 smart electricity and gas meters in a confined testing area, consisting of 2 towns near the city of Mechelen: Leest and Hombeek. EANDIS plans to start the smart meter roll-out in Q2 of 2010.
EnergyICT’s parent company, Elster, will deliver the smart electricity and gas meters for the pilot. These smart meters can be read out remotely in real-time and are capable of two-way communication as well with a central communication device. For this, EnergyICT supplies EANDIS with its RTU+Server2 data concentrators that collect, store and centralize the energy consumption data from the smart meters. These devices will forward their collected data to EnergyICT’s meter data management platform EIServer, where all smart meter data analysis, processing and distribution to the correct market parties takes place.
This complete metering solution offered by EnergyICT and Elster will evaluate the real-time two-way communication between the smart meters, data concentrators and EIServer; and provide for a solid concept for future implementations.
This initiative also marks the beginning of Belgium’s transition from its traditional energy transmission and distribution infrastructure to the “Smart Grid” age. These grids of the future are modernized electricity grids able to meet the increasing demand for energy and incorporate alternative energy sources in addition to conventional power plants. They will also be equipped with information technology in order to monitor energy consumption and production in real-time, while continuously harmonizing fluctuating supply and demand loads. In order to make all this happen, smart meters will need to provide the smart grid with realtime information.
If the first pilot proves to be successful, a second pilot of 40.000 meters will follow. Both projects account for €135 million. Should both projects receive a positive evaluation, a complete smart meter roll-out is planned to start in 2014. By 2019, every household in Belgium will be equipped with a smart meter, bringing the cost of the total smart metering project to €1.5 billion. EnergyICT’s contract is worth €4.65 million.
About EnergyICT
EnergyICT is a pioneer in providing Smart Metering and Smart Grid solutions to utilities in all markets engaging in smart metering projects.
As one of the top 3 global market leaders, EnergyICT is specialized in delivering highly advanced ICT solutions and services to utilities, energy suppliers and energy management solutions to end customers.
EnergyICT is part of the Elster Group since September 2009 and realized a turnover of €17 million in the same year. With 124 employees worldwide, EnergyICT is headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, and has subsidiaries in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States and Australia.
For more information: www.EnergyICT.com
About Elster Group
A world leader in advanced metering infrastructure, integrated metering, and utilization solutions to the gas, electricity and water industries, Elster’s systems and solutions reflect over 170 years of knowledge and experience in measuring precious resources and energy.
Elster's AMI solutions enable utilities to cost-effectively deliver, manage, and conserve the life-essential resources of gas, electricity, and water.
Elster has delivered more than 3.0 million smart metering devices worldwide with more than 60 systems located in North America, Europe, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Elster has more than 7,500 staff and operations in 38 countries.