Press release

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, January 23, 2008 Elster Integrated Solutions Announces New Release of EnergyAxis® AMI System

Elster Integrated Solutions announces its latest release of the EnergyAxis® System, an advanced metering infrastructure system with two-way mesh network communications, to enable new and existing customers the ability to extend their existing enterprise networks to a smart grid network.
 
This new release introduces major enhancements in the areas of interoperability, security, distribution operations, smart grid capabilities and a variety of options for covering a utility’s entire service territory.

Interoperability
The enterprise integration capability in the EnergyAxis System has been greatly enhanced with web service interfaces built on the simple object access protocol (SOAP)—a published, self-describing, application level standard. Utilities now have additional flexibility in defining their integration architecture to seamlessly integrate to their enterprise systems or a meter data management system.

Security
Lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) enables utilities to integrate with their enterprise authentication mechanisms and provides the capability to utilize 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). LDAP also enables further enhancements to the already existing security to assure NERC CIP cyber security compliance.

Distribution Operations
Using real-time service outage notifications and MultiSpeak™ 3.0 based web service interfaces for integration with outage management systems, utilities can both increase their bottom-line savings via efficient crew management during a major event and improve customer satisfaction during isolated events.

Operational Capabilities
With multi-channel interval measurements from all electric endpoints, the new release forms the cornerstone of Elster’s metering technology for the smart grid applications where consumers may be both users and suppliers of energy on the grid. Remote firmware upgrades to metrology and communications assure utilities of an AMI investment that is future-proofed to meet consumers’ needs over the next 20 years and beyond.
 
Communications and Coverage
Enhancements include the new EnergyAxis gas module and the new EnergyAxis standalone concentrators for gas/water-only service regions to provide comprehensive coverage of multi-utility service territories and remote regions. Multiple IP-based communication options and optional pole mount configurations for concentrators allow utilities to further extend their AMI deployments to the rural reaches of their service territories.

“These enhancements to our field-proven EnergyAxis System really position our utility customers to leverage their AMI investment for smart grid initiatives,” said Victor Sitton, vice president of product marketing for Elster Integrated Solutions. “Elster is pleased to be at the forefront of developing the innovative technology and solutions that have made the EnergyAxis System the number one worldwide AMI mesh network.”