Prompted by a new Austrian energy edict requiring utilities to achieve specific grid modernization goals by 2019, the pilots together represent potential future contracts of nearly 3.5 million smart meters and Networked Energy Services (NES) software platform licenses.
Operating along with Kapsch Smart Energy Management meter data management software, the Echelon NES platform is providing customers a full-featured, utility-grade applications platform to support the immediate smart meter program requirements, while offering future opportunities for many high-value grid applications.
Echelon Grid Modernization senior vice president and general manager Michael Anderson said the company is offering products that enable utilities to not only address the new mandates, but also enhance the overall safety, efficiency and reliability of their energy grid, as the Austrian utilities work toward compliance with the new energy law.
"These pilots represent early traction in a crucial phase of this growing market. With our continued success in demonstrating the value that NES offers to our customers, Echelon is well positioned to compete for large-scale deployment tenders once that process begins," Anderson added.
Kapsch Smart Energy CEO Christian Schober said, "Our meter-independent Kapsch Smart Energy Management software running on Echelon smart meters in these pilots gives utility companies greater control over their grids."
The pilots are scheduled to take place through 2014, while the roll out of smart meters throughout Austria in high volume will commence in 2015.
