How Enertec Hameln is becoming a pioneer in the digitalization of district heating with NB-IoT

The use case shows how the energy supplier Enertec Hameln is building an independent smart meter infrastructure - and is thus far ahead of other suppliers in terms of FFVAV requirements, economic efficiency, climate protection and competition for skilled workers.

Summary
As a 100 percent subsidiary of Interargem GmbH, Enertec Hameln GmbH operates a waste incineration plant and at the same time produces electricity and district heating. The company operates a two-part district heating network: a steam network for supplying industry and a heating network for residential customers in Hameln.

Challenges
The challenges arose from the national implementation of the EED in the form of the FFVAV: In order for private customers to receive their monthly consumption information, consumption must be recorded electronically remotely. Enertec Hameln was also under economic pressure to quickly implement its own solution. This is because smart meter operators can set up commercial gateway infrastructures in a region at any time. Utilities are then forced to use these gateways and have to pay fees to the operator. Those who already operate their own infrastructure, on the other hand, can continue to use it. For Enertec Hameln, it is also important that its grid becomes more efficient with the help of energy monitoring and optimization. And finally, the utility wants to present itself as an attractive employer in the competition for skilled workers.

Solution
On the recommendation of Landis+Gyr, a leading provider of energy management solutions, Enertec Hameln opted for the Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) wireless technology and the T550/UH50 ultrasonic heat meter from Landis+Gyr. The meter is available either mains or battery-operated – a clear advantage for mass business and versatile use, for example in basements that are difficult to reach by radio. The NB-IoT module CMi6110 from Elvaco is also integrated into the meter ex works. Data is transferred to the elvaco.evo cloud platform using a SIM card for the existing NB-IoT network of a major mobile phone provider.

The results
By using the T550/UH50 heat meter from Landis+Gyr with the NB-IoT module from Elvaco, Enertec Hameln is now pleased to have a functioning, economical, data protection-compliant and fully automated solution. It eliminates the need for manual reading on site and is cross-generational: Modules can be installed retroactively for 13 years in existing meters – from firmware version 5.15 – in the field. The data basis can be displayed well and illogical measured values are noticed earlier. Thanks to the daily transmitted measured values, Enertec Hameln recognizes the exact times of peak values in the supply network. This provides a transparent overview of the mains hydraulics. As a result, Enertec Hameln expects additional grid resources of five percent. With the efficient use of resources, Enertec Hameln also contributes to climate protection. The utility was one of the first on the market with the topic of remote reading, thus strengthening its innovative image and positioning itself as a modern employer in the competition for skilled workers.

Products used

Landis+Gyr ULTRAHEAT®T550/UH50 heat meter

Elvaco Connectivity Module CMi6110 - Internal MCM for Landis+Gyr UH50/UC50, NB-IoT

The elvaco.evo cloud platform

Customer Quote

Kai Gnuschke, Plant Operations Manager and Head of District Heating at Enertec Hameln Ltd.
"Our motto is: If you stop getting better, you've stopped being good. It is fitting that the solution we have implemented together with Landis+Gyr and Elvaco goes far beyond only meeting the FFVAV in the short term. It gives us more connection capacity, contributes to climate protection, supports the innovative image of our company, modernizes our workplaces and thus strengthens us in the competition for good skilled workers. With this solution, we feel optimally positioned for the future as a district heating supplier.“