Elster and Freestyle Technology Announce ZigBee Alliance Certification for V200 Water Meter

LUTON, England and MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elster (NYSE: ELT) and Freestyle Technology, architect of the Freestyle Microengine, today announced that the ZigBee Alliance has certified Freestyle Technology's and Elster's jointly developed V200 digital water meter.

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The V200 volumetric water meter, with an integrated electronic register, incorporates advanced data features and two-way radio communication. Elster combines its latest flow measurement technology with Smart Metering functionality, producing a hybrid solution that enables utilities to focus more effectively on water resource management and consumer engagement. The meter is available in a range of sizes covering a wide range of flow rates and conforms to European Directive 2004/22/EC.

The implementation of ZigBee technology enables utility companies to implement secure, easy-to-use wireless home area networks for managing energy and resources. Elster uses ZigBee and other open wireless radio frequency technologies in its portfolio of AMI and Smart Grid products and solutions. This enables Elster to offer its customers even more options for expanding the functionality and interoperability of its products to facilitate innovative demand response and energy efficiency applications.

"We are delighted that the V200 has been officially certified to Smart Energy Profile 1.1 by the ZigBee Alliance.  By providing utilities and consumers alike with the ability to gain instant visibility to water usage, we will be able to better manage this vital resource," said Andrew Donaghey, managing director of Freestyle Technology Pty Ltd.

"The availability of the V200 is a major step forward for water utilities globally," Donaghey added.

"The V200 is another example of Elster providing water utilities with the latest future-ready technology," said Rob Campbell, managing director of Elster's water metering business in Australia.

"Certification of the world's first battery operated ZigBee water meter is a significant achievement between Freestyle Technology and Elster that further strengthens our strategic relationship for future developments," Campbell added.

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 www.elster.com.

About Freestyle Technology

Freestyle Technology is an Australian company based in Melbourne, Victoria, which has developed an advanced application environment, which when used in the utility sectors provides unprecedented levels of information and interactivity to utilities and their customers.  It's Application Server and Kiosk has been designed to address utilities' requirements globally and is operational in Australia and North America.  It can be utilized with any communications and metering solution thus providing a range of new facilities and capabilities across networks. 

For more information about Freestyle Technology, please visit www.freestyletechnology.com.au.

SOURCE Elster