Landis+Gyr and the Estonian operations of Ericsson, Ericsson Eesti, will provide a residential smart metering solution to the electricity distribution company of Estonia's Eesti Energia, Elektrilevi. All Estonian households will switch to smart metering technology and consumption-based invoicing by 2017. In a further step, Landis+Gyr will help Elektrilevi to enhance the efficiency of its electrical network operations.
Ericsson Eesti and Elektrilevi OU have signed an agreement for the implementation of the smart metering project. As the main partner of Ericsson Eesti, Landis+Gyr is responsible for providing the smart metering infrastructure for the project, including the meters, data concentrators and the head-end system.
Ericsson Eesti is responsible for the project and its implementation. It is also responsible for integrating the smart metering system into Elektrilevi's systems. The Finnish operations of Landis+Gyr, Landis+Gyr Oy, will deliver approximately 630,000 smart household meters, just more than 10,000 data concentrators and supply the Gridstream head-end system smart metering software. The solution uses PLC data transfer, complemented by 2G/3G technology. Pilot installations of the system will start in autumn 2012; the project is due to be complete by January 2017.
According to Estonian national regulations, the metering system must measure hourly consumption as of 2017, and this is beyond the capability of the current metering infrastructure. Installing smart meters also helps Estonia to contribute to achieving the EU's 20-20-20 policy goals.
