Smart meter solution for Swiss energy suppliers

Smart meter solutions ensure that distribution networks for electricity, gas, water or district heating can become more intelligent. This is a key prerequisite for the implementation of the federal government's Energy Strategy 2050. Energy supply companies are accordingly required to convert to smart metering systems by the end of 2027. At the same time, trends such as the switch to heat pumps and electromobility will require dynamic control in the future in order to avoid peak loads and ensure a secure supply of electricity. Together with the energy supply companies, the Swiss telecommunications company Quickline has therefore developed a smart meter solution that enables both measurement and control. 

Predictive solution for measurement and control 

According to Quickline's explanation, the smart meter solution meets the requirements of the federal government. At the same time, it covers the next step in the realisation of the energy transition. "Energy suppliers receive both at once - the possibility to measure and control - and can thus significantly reduce the effort and costs for the conversion of the meters," explains Frédéric Goetschmann, CEO of Quickline. But how does a telecommunications company get involved in energy supply? "Entering the energy market is a logical extension of our offering," says Goetschmann. "For one thing, Quickline offers reliable connectivity as a prerequisite for smart metering. In addition, more than half of our partners are cross-connected companies and supply the population not only with telecommunications services, but also with electricity, water, gas and district heating." So they know what is needed and are convinced that bundling know-how and using synergies also makes sense and is economical for energy services. 

Complete solution from EVU for EVU - everything from one source 

Together, the new Quickline Energy platform was built, which covers various data transmission variants, is METAS-certified and is open to all Swiss energy suppliers. With the platform, energy suppliers receive a comprehensive, expandable complete solution and everything from a single source, from procuring the meter and communication modules to data management and integration into the billing system and customer portal, according to the statement. "Smaller and medium-sized utilities usually do not have the necessary resources and know-how to manage an entire ecosystem. Quickline is the perfect partner for this," says Rudolf Eicher, Managing Director of Energie Seeland AG. "Utility companies outsource complexity and still retain control over value creation - just like in the telecommunications sector."  

New service opportunities thanks to smart meter solution

Frédéric Goetschmann adds: "Converting to smart meters is about more than just switching from analog to digital. An intelligent, future-proof solution opens up new opportunities for energy providers. Thanks to its modular design, the Quickline Energy platform offers the necessary flexibility for future developments and the integration of new services." 

With smart meters, electricity meters and subdivision meters must be read remotely via various communication networks, processed in a central platform and fed into the billing systems of the local energy suppliers. How is security ensured here? Urs Gnehm, Managing Director of Localnet, says: "Quickline has tried-and-tested systems and processes, a reliable infrastructure with the highest security and availability standards, as well as the necessary know-how in setting up and operating platforms, managing interfaces and processing data." Quickline Energy thus combines the accumulated knowledge and experience from telecommunications and energy.

Source and further information: Quickline