Following the system’s certification by INMETRO (the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality), Landis+Gyr plans to install 200,000 new endpoints by the end of 2009.
The INMETRO certification comes after nearly two years of studies and testing of more than 300,000 devices across several utilities. During this time, INMETRO and Landis+Gyr worked closely to develop a sustainable electronic metering system that is tailored to fit Brazil’s needs as the country works towards modernizing its electrical grid.
“With the INMETRO certification, our technology will help millions of people in Brazil to better manage their personal energy consumption and benefit from the savings associated with conservation,” said Alvaro Dias, executive vice president for Landis+Gyr South America. “We are proud to work with Brazil’s administrative bodies to help ensure the Country’s energy future.”
Landis+Gyr’s SGP+M System provides a two-way flow of data between customer meters and utility back-end systems. With this two-way data flow, utilities will be able to offer customers a broad array of service options that enhance the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid. Customers will benefit from more information, expanded choices, and simpler, smarter management of their energy use. Utilities gain the advantage of lower operational costs and reduced non-technical losses, and in turn are able to offer fast, high quality service, as well as dedicate more resources to the development of new products and services.
Smart metering is expected to revolutionize energy management and grid security across the globe, with Brazil leading the way in South America. Landis+Gyr’s 100% Brazilian-made SGP+M System will be crucial to bolstering local utilities’ income recovery processes and helping utilities prevent and fight non-technical losses such as meter tampering, energy theft, and lack of payment. According to data from the National Agency for Electric Energy, Brazil loses about $4 Billion from energy theft each year.
Landis+Gyr is a Switzerland-based provider of energy measurement solutions.
