For the Europe-wide deployment of connected heat meters: Elvaco combines retrofit communication modules with Deutsche Telekom NB-IoT connectivity

This use case shows how Elvaco and Deutsche Telekom provide energy utilities with a location-independent and flexible foundation for digital remote meter reading: from retrofitting existing meters and securely transmitting measurement data to centralised management and further processing.

The European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and its national implementations, such as Germany’s Ordinance on Heating and Cooling Cost Allocation (FFVAV), are increasing regulatory requirements. To meet these requirements, energy utilities need reliable cross-border solutions for the digital collection and transmission of measurement data.

Challenges
To provide their customers with the required consumption information on a regular basis, energy utilities must be able to read heat meters remotely. A complete replacement would be time-consuming and costly, especially as many of the existing meters continue to operate reliably. This is why retrofitting existing devices is often the preferred option.

Elvaco develops communication solutions for smart metering and supports energy utilities in integrating existing metering systems into digital infrastructures. Elvaco retrofit communication modules enable installed heat meters to be upgraded without complete replacement. Via standardised interfaces, the hardware components are integrated into common heat meters, digitalising existing devices and connecting them to cloud-based smart metering solutions.

The modules are already used in many European markets and therefore need to operate reliably regardless of location. To run international smart metering projects, Elvaco required a mobile connectivity solution available across national borders.

Solution
Elvaco combines its retrofit modules with Deutsche Telekom’s NB-IoT connectivity. Each communication module includes an integrated IoT SIM card from the mobile network provider. At regular intervals, the modules collect meter readings and automatically transmit the aggregated data to any cloud. In addition to energy consumption, they also transmit supply and return temperatures as well as status and alarm messages.

The solution uses the NB-IoT mobile communication standard for data transmission. Heat meters are often located in basements, plant rooms or other areas with challenging reception conditions. At the same time, a mains power connection is not always available. Remote meter reading therefore requires communication solutions that are reliable, energy-efficient and easy to install. NB-IoT meets these requirements. The mobile communication standard was developed for IoT applications with small amounts of data and is particularly suitable for devices operated in the field over long periods. NB-IoT also enables each module to connect directly to the cloud.

Results
With Elvaco retrofit modules, energy utilities can digitalise existing heat meters and prepare them for remote reading. Manual on-site readings are no longer required.

The organisational effort associated with replacement is eliminated, as functioning devices are upgraded during regular maintenance or verification processes and then continue to be used. This reduces investment costs and material consumption.

Continuous data collection provides up-to-date field information and creates transparency regarding the condition of district heating networks. Utilities can therefore monitor their systems efficiently, meet regulatory requirements and reduce manual processes.

With Deutsche Telekom, Elvaco relies on a partner with strong NB-IoT coverage across Europe. Its own network infrastructure and roaming partnerships enable the communication modules to be used in different countries without requiring a separate connectivity solution for each market.

Deutsche Telekom already works with several partners that use Elvaco modules. For example, Hanover-based energy utility Enercity uses Elvaco communication modules in combination with Deutsche Telekom’s Cloud of Things for digital remote meter reading. The IoT platform enables devices to be managed centrally, meter data to be collected and analysed, and readings to be integrated into existing systems via API interfaces.

The combination of Elvaco hardware, Deutsche Telekom NB-IoT connectivity and cloud-based data processing supports an efficient, scalable, location-independent and future-proof infrastructure for smart metering and remote reading. A standardised SIM concept, central points of contact and stable, location-independent mobile connectivity provide a reliable foundation for the Europe-wide rollout of connected heat meters.

Products used

• Elvaco retrofit NB-IoT communication module
• Integrated Deutsche Telekom IoT SIM card
• NB-IoT connectivity

Helmut Schäller, Global IoT & Connectivity Expert, Deutsche Telekom:

“Elvaco and Deutsche Telekom share a close partnership focused on providing energy utilities with a smart metering solution that can scale across Europe. Thanks to our own network infrastructure - through which we strategically provide extensive NB-IoT coverage - and our broad roaming partnerships, Elvaco communication modules can be operated in numerous European countries with a single connectivity solution. Close technical collaboration and direct communication between our teams ensure reliable operation and the rapid implementation of customer projects.”

Highlights

• Retrofit instead of replacement: Elvaco NB-IoT communication modules make existing heat meters remotely readable without replacing the meter. This lowers costs, reduces installation effort and protects existing investments.
• EED compliant: Automated remote reading helps energy utilities reliably meet the legal requirements by the end of 2026.
• Secure data transmission across Europe: Consumption data is transmitted automatically and reliably via Deutsche Telekom’s NB-IoT network - even from basements or other challenging installation locations.
• Long-term planning security: 12 years of network technology security for sustainable smart metering projects