Technology Partnership for Smarter Meters

Unison Networks cements Technology Partnership for Smarter Meters with Landis+Gyr

The latest in smart metering technology is heading to Hawke’s Bay as electricity lines company Unison Networks takes the lead in giving the power back to its consumers.

Unison, a company that has fast become an industry leader for advancing the smart grid and one of the world’s largest smart metering solutions providers Landis+Gyr today announced a technology partnership that will deliver Landis+Gyr’s GridstreamTM smart meters to New Zealand.

Unison Group Chief Executive Ken Sutherland said the smart meter developed by Landis+Gyr is set to change how people choose and use power forever.

Mr Sutherland said the technology partnership will play a key role in Unison’s smart grid deployment bringing both international experience and proven capability.

“Unison has moved from being simply a provider of electricity through traditional network infrastructure to a smart grid that will deliver greater value, choice and reliability to the consumer,” he said.

A number of smart network technologies, including Landis+Gyr’s smart meter, will be installed that will enable Unison to improve network reliability and quality of supply, improve fault response time, improve the utilisation of its assets, thereby optimising network investment to the benefit of the consumers.

Until now the “so called” smart meter in New Zealand has done little more than automate meter reading simply delivering benefits to retailers who no longer have to send out a meter reader, there have been no real benefits for power consumers who remain with little choice on how manage their electricity bill.

“Our smart meters will enable customers to access more information in real time and give them the ability to have greater control and make better choices in managing their energy usage.

“We are working collaboratively with retailers to ensure that our smart meters are deployed as part of a fully integrated smart network.

“We are opening the door for retailers to now provide a full range of pricing plans so consumers can choose what they spend on power and when they use it,” he said.

The first 1600 of Unison’s smart meteris set to arrive early next year to be installed in Unison’s smart suburb in Greenmeadows, Napier.

Unison has undertaken extensive research and concept development to determine the functionality requirements for the smart meter to ensure it integrates with its smart network.

“A key part of transforming to a smart network is gaining first hand understanding of the benefits of these emerging technologies before mass deployment. The Greenmeadows smart suburb allows us to test technologies, monitor their benefits and to also now gain customer feedback.

“As part of Unison’s commitment to always working for the customer we will be talking with the Greenmeadows’ community about the smart network before the meters arrive.

“We are extremely keen to work with the community who will play a very important role in helping Unison understand customer needs and expectations before we begin deploying meters to all three networks across Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and Rotorua,” Mr Sutherland said

“Unison’s aim is to provide customers with the ability to control their home energy usage and power bills which in turn reduces network peak costs and provides the quality and reliability of electricity supply.

“We will provide a “first level” of service for energy efficiency and in addition customers can then choose to do more as they benefit and experience the quiet uninterrupted enjoyment of electricity,” Mr Sutherland said.

Landis+Gyr’s Australasian Chief Executive Steve Jeston said the company was looking forward to partnering with Unison over the next few years to see the benefits of smarter metering being delivered to Unison’s customers.

“Unison’s decision to work closely with Landis+Gyr is evidence of our leadership role in helping build the smart grid and provides us an opportunity to highlight the benefits of our GridstreamTM solution for New Zealand,” Mr Jeston said.

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