Elster Highlights Smart Meter Interoperability and Secure Data Handling at E-world 2012

ESSEN, Germany, February 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Elster demonstrates modular Smart Metering solutions including protection of personal data and privacy  --

Elster (NYSE: ELT) announced today that the company will be showcasing solutions at the upcoming E-world conference which underscore Elster's commitment to the implementation of Germany's new data protection profile, as developed by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) at the request of Germany's Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). E-world takes place from February 7 to February 9 in Essen, Germany.

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The BSI Protection Profile defines minimum security requirements for future Smart Meter gateway devices and is designed to ensure Smart Grid reliability and security while meeting European data protection requirements. Elster has played an active role in the process to develop the protection profile and will continue to support BSI as it strives to meet the requirements of the 'Energiewirtschaftsgesetz' - Germany's Amended Energy Industry Act 2011.

Elster believes that the demanding requirements of the protection profile will maintain security and protection of consumer data. Elster's modular Smart Metering platform, including a communications gateway, enables quick and easy replacement of a communication unit in the field, and represents an integrated Smart Metering solution based on a single set of standardized communication protocols. This provides customers with both future-proofing investment protection and interoperability.

"Elster has already committed to providing new meters and communication modules that comply with BSI requirements, while we continue to play an active role in progressing standards that address security and privacy through our association with ESMIG (European Smart Meter Industry Group)," said Frank Hyldmar, executive vice president, Elster Electricity International.

"The protection profile for the security module must be based on existing standards and protocols to allow the rapid development of compliant Smart Metering systems, as only then can a consistent approach to Smart Metering architecture across Europe be guaranteed. Such an approach will also ensure a broad supplier base of manufacturers offering modular security-ready products to the market," he added.

Elster's commitment to interoperability based on open standards and security by design extends  throughout the entire Smart Metering architecture - including the meter data management system, communication infrastructure and Smart Meters.

Elster's solutions cover the entire energy distribution value chain ranging from smart electricity, gas and water meters and interactive in-home displays, to remote meter data management applications that enable customers to implement new services and to benefit from actionable information on-demand.

At E-world (Hall 2, booth 2-218), Elster will be showcasing a full range of data privacy and security capabilities and its modular metering solutions:

• Smart Meters and metering solutions for electricity, gas and water, with the Rapid Deployment Solution (RDS) - Elster RDS-Stadtwerkepaket and Emeris Water management solution
• Secure data communication solutions with the AS300 smart electricity meter to be prepared according to the new BSI Protection Profile requirements
• Meter data management solutions with EIServer
• Efficient project management and service solutions

About Elster
Elster (NYSE: ELT) is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Its offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced Smart Metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services - key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Its products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit http://www.elster.com