EDMI - Managing Meters Better

EDMI is a global market leader in innovative energy metering products, smart metering infrastructure and energy management systems. Headquartered in Singapore, the company serves a large and growing customer base in Europe, Asia, Australiasia, the Middle East and Africa.

EDMI has been a Sierra Wireless partner since 2004 with large GPRS smart meter deployments throughout the UK. In 2011, the two companies were awarded the GSMA Global Mobile Award for Best Mobile Innovation for Utilities.

Challenges

EDMI recognizes the potential of AMI to transform the industry and are extending the company’s leadership to emerging “smart grid” technologies. To accomplish this, however, EDMI must address the demanding requirements of always-on, industrial-grade metering communications. The company believes that cellular connectivity can provide an ideal solution for many deployments.

Building effective cellular communications for a global customer base, however, can be challenging. Different markets use different communications protocols and have unique certification requirements.

Solution

AirPrime SL6087 Embedded Wireless Module

To build state-of-the-art cellular AMI solutions for a growing international market, EDMI partners with Sierra Wireless. Most recently, the company chose the AirPrime SL6087 EDGE module to support its new Mk7B smart single-phase electronic revenue meter.

The solution includes an integrated, modular pod-based communication system, with cellular connectivity provided by the AirPrime module. The embedded SIM module combines a compact, ruggedized design with full AMI functionality, as well as an optional ZigBee RF interface to connect a remote display channel. The solution allows EDMI to provide a cost-effective point-to-point wireless connection that can be remotely managed, upgraded and configured over the air, simplifying maintenance in the field.

AirPrime WMP100 Embedded Wireless Module

EDMI has also partnered with Sierra Wireless for the EWM100 Advanced GSM/GPRS Modem for Smart Metering Applications. Built with the AirPrime WMP100, the plug-and-play modem provides an ideal “in-meter” communications platform for AMI. The solution combines industrial-grade specifications, low power consumption and remote manageability in a standards-based package that interoperates with a wide range of meter technologies.

In February 2011, EDMI and Sierra Wireless won the GSMA Global Mobile Award for Best Mobile Innovation for Utilities at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for the product.

Embedded Application Framework

The EAF allows EDMI to build application processing into the module if they choose, and to customize the modem for diverse market needs. Recently, EDMI used this capability to comply with a set of unique protocol specifications for a customer in Southeast Asia.

“Smart metering projects around the world are all different, and each utility has specific requirements,” explains Graeme Lees, Chief Operating Officer, EDMI. “The fact that we have the option to add intelligence in the AirPrime module gives us a lot of flexibility.”

Results

Today, Sierra Wireless is playing an important role in helping EDMI build a new generation of innovative smart metering solutions. The AirPrime embedded modules benefit EDMI by providing:

• Long life span, with the ability to remain online for 10 years or longer
• Industrial-grade specifications to meet extreme environmental conditions of high temperatures, shock, corrosion, vibration and humidity
• Embedded SIMs to provide a more robust and durable solution
• Simplified maintenance, with remote management and configuration over the air
• Plug-and-play interoperability to easily integrate with a broad range of meter technologies
• Standards-based design to ensure support for changing metering equipment over time

Thanks in part to this strong partnership with Sierra Wireless, EDMI has been able to aggressively pursue opportunities in the rapidly growing AMI market. In all, more than 1 million EDMI meters with Sierra Wireless modules are operating in the field today.

To find out more about how Sierra Wireless can help with your smart metering power grid communications needs, please visit our Energy Solutions page.

For more information on Sierra Wireless and EDMI, please read the press release.

For more information about EDMI and its products, click here.