Kamstrup's AMI-Solution Lands In South Africa

Online, March 19, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The project was developed and implemented for Rand Aid by online energy information services company Station7 in Fourways, Johannesburg. The back-end integration was done by Kamstrup's South African partner Livewire Engineering & Consulting in Cape Town. Implementation was done at a record speed of 6 weeks including integration between Livewire's Meter Data Management (MDM) system and Kamstrup's head-end UtiliDriver® as well as the delivery of a Kamstrup Radio Mesh Network, concentrators and single- and three phase smart meters. The system is fully commissioned to interface seamlessly to Pastel Evolution financial system. Station7 deliver real-time energy information to Rand Aid by utilizing Livewire's MDM and LIVEVIEW systems. The MDM system has a primary focus on managing interval data however it also provides market data delivery files enabling functions such as energy data validation, editing and estimation.

Attie van Jaarsveldt, Project Manager from Livewire Engineering and Consulting, says: "The task of integrating our MDM solution with Kamstrup's head-end UtiliDriver was very straightforward. The system is hosted at our Data Centre in Cape Town and the performance is an impressive 100%. We have great experience with Kamstrup's Radio Mesh Network and their capable smart meters from this and other projects." The customer will be able to view daily 30-minute energy profiles per residence unit or group of residences in ranking format. The system helps with accurate billing and cost allocation per residence and common areas.

General Sales Manager at Kamstrup, Hans Peter Kyk, is also very content with the successful implementation and the impressive results. Mr. Kyk adds: "First impressions last and we are seeing a lot of potential here in South Africa for our Advanced Metering Infrastructure solution. With a number of smart metering projects already up and running in South Africa we are well under way with our wireless system here. The current implementation is a major achievement for Kamstrup, Livewire and Station 7 and not least our end-customer."

The total system enables the end customer to benefit from real time data and a detailed overview of the energy consumption. Apart from the obvious advantages like identifying electricity-guzzling appliances and the automatic managing of the complicated South African tariff system, the AMI is also the first step towards a true Smart Grid that will strengthen demand side management. A stable flow of information will contribute to stabilizing the energy supply and the billing to residential areas.

Kamstrup UtiliDriver® makes interoperability come live. Utilities worldwide use Kamstrup UtiliDriver® for smooth system integration of smart meters, communication systems and meter data management systems from different vendors. Kamstrup UtiliDriver® is the heart of Kamstrup's open and interoperable Advanced Metering Infrastructure/Smart Grid system. UtiliDriver® manages the data communication between Smart Meters and the MDM system.

About Station7:
Station7 deliver online energy information services as well as energy- measurement, efficiency, control and management solutions to clients throughout South Africa with a key focus on the commercial buildings sector. Station7 has client like Rand Aid, University of Johannesburg, Southern Sun and City Lodge. Visit Station7 at www.station7.co.za

About Livewire Engineering and Consulting:
Livewire provides utility meter monitoring and data management hardware and services. Livewire provides convenient, online access to detailed water and energy consumption data. Livewire services range from supply of individual monitoring components to complete large-scale monitoring system design and implementation. Visit Livewire at www.livec.co.za

About Kamstrup:
Kamstrup is a leading manufacturer of smart metering solutions for heat, cooling, electricity, water and gas. Solutions include high accuracy meters, smart metering systems that enable smart grid management and extensive operation and support services. Kamstrup serves the energy industry with long-term stable technology. www.kamstrup.com