Landis & Gyr and Elster partner on metering hardware interoperability

• 13 years ago (2011-08-31)
• David Flin

North America 1026

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Landis & Gyr and Elster have agreed to develop communications firmware that will work in each other’s metering platforms without installing each other’s communications modules. This interoperability is intended to give utilities more flexibility when choosing metering platforms.

Landis & Gyr is developing Gridstream communications firmware that will operate in Elster’s residential REX meter platform, and will also allow those meters to work in the Gridtream network without Landis & Gyr’s specific communications module. Elster will develop EnergyAxis communications firmware that will run within Lanid & Gyr’s integrated residential Focus meter without an Elster communications module.

The intent is to develop an integrated meter and communication platform for both EnergyAxis and Gridstream smart grid networks. That flexibility will give utilities the ability to adopt advances in technology with a simple update of the radio firmware in their meters.

Jerry Figurilli, COO of Landis & Gyr, said: “We know that utilities want flexibility and future readiness from their advanced metering systems. By enabling hardware interoperability, we will be able to provide utilities more choice in the selection of advanced meters. The use of a firmware-based solution for communications upgrades in the future is standard practice for Landis & Gyr, and it makes sense to further proliferate this approach in the market.”

Mark Munday, President of Elster Solutions, said: “Elster and Landis & Gyr both understand the benefits of complete interoperability and the value it brings to the utility segment. We look forward to continuing to expand these types of innovative smart grid initiatives for the benefit of all our utility customers.”