Landis+Gyr and Vodafone Business are working together to allow Landis+Gyr customers to connect their smart meters and smart grid applications to over 400 networks in 180 countries using Vodafone Business’ leading IoT services.
Also, Landis+Gyr will integrate Vodafone Business IoT connectivity in their products and devices before shipping them to energy companies worldwide. This allows the assets to automatically connect to the best mobile network when installed, rather than needing manual set up.
The process will make it easier to build, configure and deploy large connected smart energy networks. As well as easing the installation, it also simplifies the management of the devices for Landis+Gyr’s customers, thanks to the ability to reliably and securely identify and monitor all the assets connected to the grid.
As more and more energy assets are installed and have to efficiently interact with grids worldwide, being able to securely recognise and manage them becomes essential. This is particularly true for distributed devices and green energy assets, like solar panels or the new energy storage systems.
Streamlining and securing the data connection from devices into the grid provides utilities with better visibility, helping accelerate adoption. This secure and reliable data connection is what Landis+Gyr will be able to provide under a long-term service contract that offers coverage access to multiple carriers.
Landis+Gyr and Vodafone Business will also connect smart meters using low power wide area (LPWA) network technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M, which offer high signal penetration and low power consumption. These technologies will allow Landis+Gyr’s smart meters to seamlessly integrate with Vodafone Business’ NB-IoT networks in 18 countries and its extensive ecosystem of roaming partners.
“Together, we will be able to deliver longevity and quality of service to match utility asset lifecycles, creating the base for interactive smart grids with increasing intelligence embedded at the grid edge,” said Werner Lieberherr, Landis+Gyr’s CEO. “This will enable our customers, energy consumers and entire communities to manage energy in a more informed way, making a positive impact on the environment”.
Daniel Beevers, regional director for Asia Pacific at Vodafone Business, said NB-IoT will enable more and more companies to be not only more resilient and future-ready, but also more sustainable.