The installation of new meters will commence in 2010. Over a period of nine years, the total value of the investment, including the procurement of the smart meters, installing, operating and developing the system as well as related services is approximately EUR 170 million over a period of nine years.
Fortum, as a part of the investment, has selected Telvent for delivering, installing and operating the system. The service agreement includes Echelon’s metering equipment, Telvent’s system as well as maintenance and collection of meter readings. Eltel Networks would be responsible for the meter installations. Fortum and Telvent’s contract also includes several options for future development and upgrading.
Timo Karttinen, senior vice president for Corporate Development at Fortum, said: “With the new smart meters invoicing will be based on real electricity consumption. Better knowledge in turn improves energy efficiency and makes it easier to operate and manage network capacity when actual customer electricity consumption is known. In addition, the smart meters will be used for faster power failure resolution and as a platform for future services within electricity solutions.”
The smart metering system provided to the company’s customers includes various features, such as, automated consumption reporting via internet, possibility to access real-time meter readings and connection to future smart home systems via a local wireless interface in the meter.
Manuel Sanchez Ortega, chairman of Telvent, said: “It is most satisfying that Fortum has chosen our technology and information services for a project of this importance and magnitude. This is a major step in the evolution of a 21st-century intelligent power grid for Fortum.”
