Cuculus GmbH, a developer of smart metering and home control solutions, has been selected to supply its ZONOS platform to RheinEnergie to support the roll-out of 30, 000 meters in Germany.
RheinEnergie has used the Cuculus ZONOS platform since 2009 when the system was first deployed for a smart metering pilot with 3,000 meters. The platform was used in pilots undertaken with employees and customers designed to identify the best way to present smart metering data in the home. ZONOS was applied to manage the smart metering technology infrastructure measuring electricity, gas and water consumption. The pilots were also used to review various infrastructure related technologies.
Based on the success of the pilots RheinEnergie has engaged Cuculus to supply its ZONOS platform to support a 30,000 meter deployment, one of the largest ever roll-outs of smart meters in Germany.
The ZONOS platform is a comprehensive Advanced Metering Management (AMM) and Meter Data Management (MDM) system with attractive features that makes it easy for utilities to implement and operate smart metering. It also provides the functionality to set-up attractive end-customer services based on the data. The system is open which is critical to ensure it works within the existing system infrastructure of a utility.
RheinEnergie will use the ZONOS platform in conjunction with SAP´s IS-U EHP5 Interface for Smart Metering (MDUS). The required processes have been analysed and used to realize the data model and storage concept. This made it possible to implement functionality and adapt various components to provide an integrated seamless solution. The smart metering solution enables installation and problem resolution processes, regular and on-demand meter reads as well as the exchange of system messages, alarms and statistics to the connected systems.
Wolfram Bennerscheidt, Rheinenergie commented: "The very positive experience from our earlier pilots gives us confidence that Cuculus will meet our expectations. Smart Metering is complex and will lead us to explore new frontiers. We are pleased that in this project we can continue to benefit from Cuculus´ flexibility and focus on finding solutions. "
Rene Böringer, Cuculus CCO, commented: "We are delighted that RheinEnergie has chosen the Cuculus platform to support their extensive roll-out of smart meters. RheinEnergie is a leader within the field of smart metering in Germany and we look forward to work with them to help realise the potential of this key project."
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For further information:
http://www.cuculus.net/drupal/en
Notes to editors:
About Cuculus GmbH:
Cuculus helps utilities deliver Smart Metering by connecting electric, gas and water meters to ZONOS, a robust IT platform that can be integrated with utilities existing back-end systems. The Company has also developed the infrastructure and products required to support the management of home appliances ("Home Control") for utilities and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The ZONOS platform is open and vendor independent thus making it possible to work with the meters and communication structure of choice. The system is scalable and can be implemented as a managed service or running in a company´s system environment. This creates the opportunity for simple and cost effective to roll out of services. The integration of smart metering and home control furthermore provides opportunities for demand management and other advanced services. The Company was spun out from Ilmenau University of Technology and IDEO Laboratories GmbH in 2007.
About RheinEnergie
The company name RheinEnergie AG stands for the central business area of the company and at the same time expresses the regional anchor. With its partners, RheinEnergie is responsible for the supply of energy and drinking water in a safe, sustainable and cost-effective way to about 2.5 million people as well as industry and commerce. Climate and environmental protection are important to RheinEnergie: with its program "Energy & Climate 2020," RheinEnergie is investing in the development of environmentally-friendly district heating and in future technology and renewable energy, making a contribution to environmental protection. With 19 of its own wind farms, RheinEnergie has been one of the largest municipal providers of wind energy in Germany since 2009. With approximately 3,000 employees and a high investment volume, the company is an important economic contributor to Cologne and the region.
