Open meter program support via MCU and IC supply

STMicroelectronics (ST) announced that it is supporting the construction of E-Distribuzione's 'Open Meter'.

E-Distribuzone is a subsidiary of the Italian Enel Group, which holds the rights to power supply services in Europe, and is designing and developing Open Meter, a second-generation smart meter platform.

Open Meters can extend the benefits of existing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) by introducing communication links within the home using the open standard Meters and More protocol. This enables enhanced services, such as smart home energy management and dynamic electricity rate optimization, as well as providing more complete usage information for customers.

ST supports the open meter program of E-Distribubusonne by supplying its latest PLC SoC (System-on-Chip) programmable platform as well as energy-efficient 32-bit application microcontrollers, high-efficiency power supply ICs, and discrete semiconductors for power control and switching. Because the excellent functional integration and performance of these devices allow smart objects in the home to be easily connected to the smart grid and cloud, it is possible to improve resource management and build a safe and robust infrastructure even as consumer demands and environmental issues continue to intensify.

Domenico Arrigo, Head of the Industrial and Power Conversion Business Unit at ST, stated, “ST has supported Enel’s innovative smart meter deployment projects since 2001 and has successfully carried out programs in Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe, and Latin America,” and added, “ST is now supplying Enel with the latest state-of-the-art PLCs and smart meter technologies to help them move to a new stage.”