Feb 14 2013
Smart metering partnership faces up to new parameters / “Seizing the opportunities of the energy transition, together” / New solutions for network operators, energy suppliers and consumers
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, one of the leading European energy companies, and Landis+Gyr AG, the market leader in intelligent metering systems, are now partners. The two companies want to work together to actively shape and promote the energy transition in Germany by developing smart meter solutions for the energy market of the future. Toshiba, Landis+Gyr’s parent company, will also provide their expertise to enhance this partnership, one of the first to make use of the new regulatory conditions for smart meters. These conditions are defined in regulations such as the German Energy Management Act (EnWG) and the German Federal Office for Information Security’s (BSI) protection profile. The companies kicked off their cooperation at the 13th E-world energy & water trade fair, in Essen, Germany.
“The use of smart meters holds enormous potential for the energy transition,” explains Dr. Dirk Mausbeck, a member of the Board of Management at EnBW. “There are great challenges associated with smart meters, which form the basis for the increasing digitalization of the energy industry. In Landis+Gyr, we’ve found an experienced, competent partner with the necessary expertise to meet the requirements of these systems.” EnBW plans to continue expanding its range of services for power grid operators and energy suppliers in the future. As a service provider for energy solutions, the company offers everything from deployment to full operation of intelligent metering systems. EnBW is also increasing its cooperation with municipal utility companies. At the same time, it is preparing new offers for consumers and promoting the expansion of smart grids and smart markets.
“Landis+Gyr and EnBW are two powerful partners working together toward a common goal,” explains Dr. Peter Heuell, CEO of Landis+Gyr Germany. “We want to seize the opportunities of the energy transition, together.” Because the requirements of the Energy Act, the new BSI protection profile, the technical directive and the FNN (Forum network technology/network operation) specifications are highly complex, joining forces is especially important: “We’re faster and more efficient together,” says Heuell. And right now, that is decisive. Both companies believe that the German federal government’s cost-benefit analysis on smart metering will lead to an increase in the number of mandatory installations. This would then increase the pressure on the industrial sector to offer marketable and legally compliant solutions.