Update on Developments in Italian Gas Smart Metering
From Metering Europe Conference
The Italian Authority for Electriciy and Gas (AEEG) decreed in October 2008 (AEEG 155/08) that 100% of Commercial and Industrial and 80% of residential gas meters should be capable of remote management. This follows an earlier statement of intent in July 2006.
AEEG defined the high level requirements, meter replacement schedule and penalties for non-compliance. For the largest gas meters, >G40, if 100% of sites are not upgraded to smart by the end of 2010, each site will attract an annual penalty of 54 Euros.
At a residential level there are phased targets for roll out:
- 2012 – 5% – 4 Euro penalty per meter per year
- 2013 – 20% – 4 Euro
- 2014 – 40% – 4 Euro
- 2015 – 60% – 4 Euro
- 2016 – 80% – 4 Euro
The high level requirements include use of open standards, inteoperability for the meter and concentrator and the following detailed requirements:
- Measurement of 3 configurable tariff bands
- Remote upgrade of software
- End to end encryption and authentication
- Time synchronisation
- For domestic meters:
- consumption will be measured on a daily basis
- all will feature a valve capable of local and remote control
- meters will support the use of a local display unit, or alternatively, the customer can access their data via the internet
- all will feature temperature compensation
- pressure compensation is not mandatory
The Italian gas metering industry looked at the opportunity to link their meters to the existing ENEL Telegestore solution, but as this uses proprietary protocols, it was not seen as a valid solution, and the industry is seeking a gas-only solution. AEEG has guaranteed cost neutrality.
Are anticipating a need to swap the batteries in gas meters once in the 15 year asset life.
Have found issues with pilot exercise in locating the concentrators – very expensive to make use of cellular masts.
Detailed techinical specification work is being undertaken by the national standards body UNI and Comitano Italiano Gas. Two working groups, looking at system and meter, have been established. The specification (UNI/TS 11291) has been split into 9 parts, with gas meters classified into three groups:
- above G40
- G10 to G40
- below G10
DLMS is being proposed across the gas metering market.
The residentail radio standard (meter to concentrator) is being considered, likely to be subject to a significant field test, after a desktop exercise using a 22 point checklist failed to determine the most appropriate solution. All of the technologies work, but Wireless M-Bus and Wavenis scored highest during the evaluation.
