Press release
Elster, a leader in smart metering and smart grid systems and solutions, today announced the launch of its newest EnergyAxis® System technology advances, designed to provide unifying solutions for the smart grid.
Built on an architecture that seamlessly supports current smart grid applications, Elster’s EnergyAxis System also features multiple technologies that provide a foundation for future smart grid applications. These include unified multi-technology solutions for WAN, LAN and HAN communications, in-network distributed intelligence for streamlined data delivery and network operation, and robust head-end applications for network management and integration with key utility enterprise systems.
“For the smart grid to be truly smart, it must be more than a communications pipe with endpoints,” said Mark L. Munday, Elster Electricity president and CEO. “The smart grid requires distributed intelligence executing many applications in near real time. The technology and interfaces need to truly be interoperable, and business relationships need to make sense so a solution is sustainable.
“EnergyAxis integrates these concepts and technologies together into an advanced unifying system solution that allows utilities to realize their vision of a smart grid,” said Munday.
EnergyAxis system enhancements include: a multi-technology architecture, a new high performance network, distributed intelligence, expanded interoperability, new grid modernization devices, and additional robust, efficient security. These enhancements work together to provide utilities with the necessary performance to enable a smart grid.
Elster’s unifying solutions for the smart grid include:
- Multi-Technology Architecture—EnergyAxis is architected to allow the use of multiple communications technologies. Existing technologies such as GPRS, 1xRTT, fiber, PSTN, satellite and others are currently in use as the backhaul between the EnergyAxis management head-end and the gatekeeper data concentrators and network management devices. In addition to connecting meters, sensors and control devices through a fast mesh network, EnergyAxis also enables point-to-point direct WAN connectivity to strategic devices in the field. Many years of experience with communicating meters and load control devices enable Elster to offer a family of WAN interface cards internal to endpoints. This multi-technology architecture adapts to emerging technology and protects against obsolescence, differentiating EnergyAxis from competing systems that use a single technology regardless of the application or context.
- New High Performance Network—the EnergyAxis network provides class-leading 142 kbps data rates while still taking advantage of the superior robustness and range associated with 900 MHz communications. The increased speed allows the system to deliver data more quickly to key business systems, increasing operational efficiency and providing significant bandwidth for future smart grid applications. Additionally, Elster has increased the range of the network facilitating broader coverage of service territories.
- Distributed Intelligence—Distributed intelligence delivers higher performance, reliability and more efficient use of network communication bandwidth by allowing the EnergyAxis network to leverage processing power of the field devices without dependence on the head-end to manage all operations. Critical decisions such as switching, isolation of network faults and use of distributed generation can be made locally, enabled by distributed intelligence. This improves response times as well as grid and system reliability.
- Expanded Interoperability—Elster has been at the forefront of many of key industry standards to date and continues to offer true interoperability at key points within the EnergyAxis network.
- New Grid Monitoring Solutions—Elster is collaborating closely with customers and technology partners to develop products and solutions to modernize the power grid. These solutions include voltage conservation, transformer monitoring, and both medium and low voltage line monitoring, among others. Based on feedback from multiple utility programs in the field, Elster has developed Advanced Grid Infrastructure products, including an LV AGInode™ that combines unique sensing technology from Elster’s technology partner with Elster’s metrology and integrated communications, creating a cost effective method to monitor low voltage assets within the power grid.
- Enhanced Security—EnergyAxis protects utility and consumer data throughout the entire system from the HAN through the connection with the utility enterprise bus. EnergyAxis has been audited by an objective third-party security team to ensure the highest level of security.
“By leveraging our industry knowledge and heritage and the technology enhancements we continue to put in place, Elster has embedded key smart grid concepts in our solutions while still being flexible and adaptable for evolving smart grid applications in the future,” said Munday.
For additional information on Elster’s smart grid technologies, visit www.energyaxis.com.