Elster Launches EnergyAxis® 7.5

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elster (NYSE: ELT) today announced the release of EnergyAxis® 7.5, the newest version of the company's pioneering end-to-end Smart Grid solution, which has more than 80 field-proven systems deployed by customers around the world.

Elster's EnergyAxis 7.5, with enhanced security features, interoperability and a field-proven architecture, empowers utilities to deliver vast advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) benefits to customers. Additionally, EnergyAxis enables AMI and distribution automation (DA) convergence through built-in applications such as transformer monitoring, load and voltage optimization and load control, which are fully functional at some of the world's leading utilities.

"With EnergyAxis, electric, gas and/or water utilities are creating a truly integrated grid with layers of communication technologies that enable monitoring and control of its most critical functions, driving operating efficiency and improved consumer support," said Mark Munday, president and CEO of Elster Solutions. "Working with these utilities, Elster continues to expand its offering while driving interoperability and furthering its commitment to industry-leading security and open interfaces and systems."

"Providing seamless integration from the utility application to inside consumer networks, EnergyAxis 7.5 delivers the functionality, reliability and open architecture required for Smart Grid success," Munday added.

IP & Interoperability

EnergyAxis 7.5 utilizes defined Internet Protocol (IP) standards to optimize network integration and interoperability. Support for TCP/IP, IPv4 and IPv6 provides utilities with increased interoperability and more multi-technology options. EnergyAxis 7.5 continues to support IP-based meters built on defined and open (non-proprietary) standards.

Mesh enhancements enable utilities to create network infrastructure on-demand, ensuring a more reliable, scalable, higher bandwidth infrastructure that enhances the performance of running applications. Other updates include priority routing and the ability to quickly recover endpoints that become disconnected.

Utilities will now enjoy streamlined integration of electric meters from different vendors through the improved interoperability offered by EnergyAxis 7.5. This enhanced interoperability ensures that EnergyAxis 7.5 users have flexibility in their technology choices and are not locked into a single technology. In addition, common information model (CIM) interoperability demonstrations improve data flow and data interpretation across the Smart Grid network.

AMI & DA Convergence

Elster's EnergyAxis 7.5 delivers a multi-technology communications infrastructure designed to facilitate the convergence of AMI and DA. Utilities can leverage an existing AMI network to enable DA applications including transformer monitoring, voltage conservation and load shedding.

For the electrical grid, a second generation advanced grid infrastructure (AGI) LVnode for transformer monitoring and an AGI MVnode (a line monitor using ABB GridSync capability) improve remote monitoring and control. Additionally, EnergyAxis 7.5 provides system-wide demand response support, including pricing, messaging and load control, and integrated support for home energy management.

Enhanced integration with EnergyICT®'s meter data management (MDM) system provides EnergyAxis users with more end-to-end control and integration with the EnergyAxis Management System than ever before. Updated system outage and restoration functionality are also available to meet utility-use scenarios.

Security

Building on Elster's already advanced security features, EnergyAxis 7.5 utilizes National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved standards to offer a number of security enhancements to ensure the supportability of the entire grid. These enhancements increase the safety of a utility's infrastructure and further protect the privacy of Smart Meter data.

Key management ensures that individual encryption keys are updated and readily available, improving information flow across the entire IT system. An open standard wide area network (WAN) protocol enables support for TCIP/IP code division multiple access (CDMA) direct WAN connected devices, improving the interoperability and security of network devices. Elster also provides enhanced security support for meter programming software.

EnergyAxis, a field-proven Smart Grid solution with more than 4.5 million endpoints deployed with utilities around the world, enables utilities to:

• Realize operational efficiencies;
• Conserve environmental and economic resources by reducing the losses in electricity, gas and water grids;
• Reduce outages, and improve outage response and repair time;
• Improve customer service and consumer choice;
• Implement demand response programs that can conserve resources and reduce costs, especially during periods of peak demand;
• Provide real-time information to end consumers to allow them to better manage their energy consumption; and
• Detect and reduce non-technical losses.

Availability

For more information, please visit Elster at booth 901 at the DistribuTECH conference from February 1-3 in San Diego, or www.elster.com/distributech.

About Elster

Elster (NYSE: ELT) is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Its offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Its products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.  

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering modules deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit www.elster.com.

SOURCE Elster

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