Consumer and Smart Metering

For the first time the consumer is in the spotlights Ubitronix’ "User Centered Smart Grid" product line, creating significant value for both the customer and energy industry.

The core element is the so-called Meter-Server - a component installed at the customer’s premises and that record the consumption of all local data. Herewith all disadvantages of previously dispensed web portals or in-home displays for consumption visualisation are disappeared, such as high cost, privacy issues, poor expandability and limited functionality.

The customers will have access on their consumption data via standard IP-enabled devices such as PCs, laptops, smartphones or tablets, because of the new meter-server, transfer of measurement data at home & building automation systems is possible. "Herewith smart metering becomes now really smart - even for the end user," stated Dr. Christoph Schaffer, managing director of ubitronix system solutions gmbh convincingly.

 

The added value - to be precise; The actual consumption data - are accessible and understandable for the end user. No additional hardware is needed to access the meter-server, the consumption data is available via the so-called HomePlug standard, an in-home broadband power line technology, which has for years been in use and extremely cost effective. The most important advantage: Each IP-enabled device, such as a PC, laptop, smart-phone or a tablet can be used to access these data via LAN or WLAN - proprietary display solutions belongs to the past. Moreover, historical data as well as real-time data are transmitted.

Privacy problem solved

Only the end user will have access to the encrypted data of his system. In combination with the storage of fine-grained data at the final consumer premises, is shows a solution that solves the potential privacy problems. It is no longer necessary to transmit fine-grained private data, possibly subject of legal privacy acts, to a central server at the utility.

"Green Plugs" providing more detailed data

The new ubitronix product family for consumers also includes so-called "Green Plugs". A Green Plug is an intermediate plug with a switch and current measurement function; it can be plugged into any electrical socket in the end user’s premises. They communicate over the existing electrical installation with the meter-server for the storage of the electrical consumption, of a refrigerator or a television for instance. In this way, not only the billing data will be recorded, but also all data and parameters, mandatory for a useful energy-monitoring.

Open system

The meter-server can be connected to up to four different meters, regardless of protocol. Consumption data of M-bus devices, which are linked to such a meter can also be recorded by the meter-server. Thanks to standard technologies, the system is expandable and future-proof, it can also be connected to existing Home & Building Automation systems, inverters for photovoltaic systems or any other implemented systems.

Each end user can decide to which device he wants to have access or which services he wants to use. "I'm sure that in near future a variety of different applications will be available for this system," so Dr. Christoph Schaffer. "Via our e partner-programme prospects get access to this technology and are able to develop applications independently," remarked Dr . Schaffer.