GÖRLITZ - Planning security with BSI compliant smart metering system
The metering landscape in Germany is undergoing a transformation, measuring systems with protection profiles are required and GÖRLITZ provides you with a guarantee that today’s measuring systems from Echelon Cooperation will fulfil the BSI protection profile criteria, and the cost-effective PLC technology can still be employed for the last mile to the customer’s meter.
The guarantee is in the form of a voucher which for a fixed price today, will enable the operator to upgrade the Network Energy Services (NES) system to protect certain profile standards upon legislative stipulation. The measures imposed by the EU’s third legislative package are currently being implemented in Germany. The amendment to the Energy Industrial Act (EnWG) from August 5, 2011 obliged specific connections users to install a “measuring system” effective from January 1 2013. This shall consist of a protection profile-conformant electronic meter and communications gateway connected to the networks. The Federal Office for Information Security is presently engaged in defining minimum requirements for the planned measuring systems. In accordance with the EnWG, DSOs in the role of binding metering point operators/metering service providers, are confronted with the necessity to install around 10 million meters from January 2013 and to undertake a major part of the costs for the ensuing probable roll-out, although as yet there are no universally valid and compliant systems on the market – a contradictory situation to say the least. “Smaller-sized meter administrators are often forced to retreat from the metrology sector”, declared Ralf Hoffmann, CEO at GÖRLITZ AG. In cooperation with Echelon GÖRLITZ has developed a solution for the DSO who wishes to plan and supervise a rollout proactively and independently: a BSI conformant solution in cooperation with Echelon.The proven IDSpecto.AMM Smart Metering solution is the answer. The system is deployed worldwide in large smart metering projects and enables the reading of enormous data volumes with high data density (>400.000LP). The second component is the Echelon Networked Energy Services (NES) System. The NES system (OSGP protocol, approved by an EU standardisation gremium) supports open standards and is tailored to the needs of a smart meter rollout. It is cost-effective, fast and reliable. Echelon Smart meters connected by Powerline and data concentrators in the field comprise the technology and network infrastructure. The retrieved metering data are quickly, precisely and safely processed via the module IDSpecto.AMMGateway as the so-called „meter connector“. “We have extremely positive practical experience with this solution, the functionality and mass-suitability was demonstrated most impressively in the Scandinavian projects and we could keep to the rollout schedule”, commented Olaf Schimpf, product manager for smart metering at GÖRLITZ. Numerous smaller customers of the Koblenz based company have also profited from the experience in regional rollouts.“We have adopted an unprecedented strategy to ensure the future viability of the system and its compliance with long-term legislative requirements”, announced Mr. Hoffmann. With the vouchers GÖRLITZ provides the customer with a guarantee to acquire a BSI protected profile gateway at a later date for a fixed price today, thereby offering full planning security and investment protection. The development staff at the Koblenz headquarters are already working on a “BSI Gateway”, but production plans have been postponed until the regulatory requirements are finalised. “In spite of the uncertainty, we can still quote our customers reliable figures for their calculations”, assured Mr Hoffmann. This gives the customer time and financial leeway to adapt the technical infrastructure for the rollout, thus eliminating bottlenecks in both capacity and competence. The additional expenditure for the subsequent obligatory upgrade to protection profile technology is consequently foreseeable. “This solution is also valuable for the DSO who must replace meters within the next 2-3 years or for those who anticipate increased construction in their operations area”, continued Mr Hoffmann. Upon enactment of legislation, the voucher can be redeemed from GÖRLITZ to upgrade the smart metering system with the BSI-Gateway and the protection requirements can be easily met. The voucher includes the right to a software update for the NES system to meet the security regulations for the IT environment.The voucher offer from GÖRLITZ AG permits the immediate start to install future-proof device technology in accordance with §21 EnWG. DSO can plan their rollouts in line with their own strategy, with allowances for financial variations and risks, regardless of the continuing ambiguous regulatory conditions.