The Scoop
EU's EED (Energy Efficiency Directive) mandates remote meter reading by 2027. ACRIOS Systems advocates for retrofitting existing meters rather than replacement, using protocol-agnostic data concentrators compliant with OMS (Open Metering System) standards. This provides a more cost-effective and sustainable path to compliance.
The Context
Many existing electricity, gas, and water meters still accurately measure consumption but lack the capability to transmit data remotely, a key requirement under the EU's EED. Replacing all these meters would be a costly and environmentally impactful undertaking. Retrofitting, on the other hand, offers a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly path to compliance. ACRIOS Systems' approach involves installing protocol-agnostic data concentrators that can collect data from a variety of meter types and transmit it to a central system. These concentrators are designed to be compliant with the OMS standard, ensuring interoperability between different vendors and systems. ACRIOS cites a successful deployment in Vilnius, Lithuania, of 10,000 concentrators serving hundreds of thousands of units as proof of concept. Avoiding vendor lock-in is crucial for utilities, allowing them to choose the best technologies and solutions without being tied to a single provider.