Elster Group Launches Worldwide Energy Saving Solution

A new business unit, Elster Integrated Solutions (EIS) based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, will drive global programmes to help utilities worldwide adopt the very latest smart metering systems. Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) are designed specifically for gas, electricity and water utility customers. These smart meters can help with some of the most pressing current environmental issues.

"These meters enable providers to check on an end-user's usage more frequently, in turn facilitating more frequent tariff changes including demand-responsive tariffs which enable prices to follow demand," says Elster Group CEO Thomas Ganswindt. "Smart meters can send warnings to the consumer to turn on or turn off appliances. The end result is energy and resource savings. Highly accurate and fair billing will show the real use of energy and scarce resources by consumers."

Research shows that shortening the link between consumption and billing makes residential and industrial consumers more price-responsive and therefore more economical with their energy usage. Research also shows that there is a huge market for this type of technology. Some European countries are already using smart meters, especially in Italy and in some Scandinavian countries.

"Metering is a fundamental business enabler for utility companies. In Europe alone there are approximately 244 million electricity meters and 101 million gas meters," continues Ganswindt. "The liberalization of energy markets requires that the utility meters of tomorrow be connected to data communication networks. The investment in technology and people will help reduce operating costs, drive additional revenue streams for our customers and further improve the quality of energy usage for consumers."