Iskraemeco has been a member of the Device Language Message Specification User Association (DLMS UA) since 1997.
DLMS UA develops and promotes the DLMS communication protocol for smart devices such as smart meters for electricity, gas, heat and water. DLMS is the smart link between energy and water consumption and supply and is a secure protocol for interoperable smart devices across all communication paths.
Today, DMLS UA has several working groups to bring together companies and experts in the smart grid field, in which Iskraemeco actively participates. The working groups are: Maintenance Working Group, Smart Metering Working Group, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Working Group, Health Usage Monitoring Systems Working Group and Qualification Working Group.
The Electrical Energy Smart Meter working group is further divided into four sub-groups: Electricity (Smart Metering sub-working group), Gas (Gas Smart Meter sub-working group), Water (Water Smart Meter sub-working group) and Heat (Heat Smart Meter sub-working group).
DLMS was included in IEC standardization in 2002 under IEC 62056 DLMS/ COSEM. Since then, it has been a member of Technical Committee 13 in Working Group 14 (TC13 WG14), which is responsible for the exchange of smart meter metering data. A year ago, the Interoperable Device Interface Specifications (IDIS), a related organization, merged with DLMS UA to accelerate the issuance of joint programmes in the energy and water fields. IDIS presents its work through three specifications: Package 1, 2 and 3.
EC 1906 AWARD
In recognition of his long-serving contribution as an expert of WG 14 and as key contributor to new elements of the DLMS/COSEM series IEC 62056, especially in the field of information security. His deep hands-on knowledge of the NIST / FIPS standards for cryptography was invaluable as these were selected by WG 14 for providing cryptographic protection in DLMS/COSEM.
IEC 1906 Award (2022)
In recognition for his deep and continuous involvement in the development of the application layer proto-col DLMS/COSEM, contributing to the publication and maintenance of the IEC 62056 series of standards covering architecture, data-model and profiles.
Iskraemeco has been actively represented in the DLMS UA organization by Milan Kozole, Systems Design Architect, since its inception. In the first years, this was mainly on content, but also as a member of the Board since 2013 and as Chair of the Technical Committee from 2017 to 2022, where he was responsible for the implementation of the DLMS standard. We had a short interview with Milan about his work.
DLMS is an association based on the monitoring of innovations and trends. Can you tell us what areas you are most active in at the moment?
As part of my work, I have contributed to the content of the Maintenance working group. Blue Book and Green Book, where the DLMS standard gets an extensive technical description. I work hard to ensure that the standard still supports older implementations in each new version (back-ward compatibility), to ensure the smooth operation of smart devices and to ensure the long-term stability of the standard for all users. I am also active in the Qualifications Committee, where I am, among other things, a beta tester of the Conformance Test Tool. This means that I am testing the compliance testing tool before release in conjunction with our smart meters.
Just as DLMS is part of the standardization structures, I am also involved in the IEC, the International Electrotechnical Commission, which is the world’s leading organization for the preparation and publication of international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. In Slovenia, I am an active member of the Slovenian Institute of Standardization (SIST), which is responsible for the preparation and adoption of standardization documents and represents Slovenia’s interests in international (ISO and IEC) and European organizations (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI). I work in the MEE (Metering and Load Control Equipment) field, which is responsible for the national adoption of DLMS standards.
In the last period I have been operation-ally involved in the implementation of the latest IDIS package, Package 3 (P3), which takes care of the interchangeability and compatibility of smart meters and the new IE.5 meters. IDIS P3 is required in the Belgian market, which Iskraemeco is entering with a renewed range of solutions, and standardization is an important link to ensure that smart meters comply with the latest standards available.
As an active member in associations, you have also received several enviable awards. Can you introduce us to some of them?
I am very proud to have received such awards. In 2014, I was awarded the IEC 1906 AWARD by the IEC for my long-standing contribution as an expert of working group 14 and as a key contributor to new elements of the DLMS/COSEM IEC 62056 series, especially in the field of information security. They highlighted my deep practical knowledge of the NIST/FIPS cryptography standards, as they have been adopted by Working Group 14 to provide cryptographic protection in the DLMS/COSEM IEC 62056 series of standards.
Last year, I was again awarded the IEC 1906 AWARD for my deep and lasting contribution to the development of the DLMS/ COSEM protocol and my contribution to the IEC 62056 series of standards covering architecture, data model and profiles throughout the years of my work.
You are already handing over some of your roles in the DLMS. Finally, can you tell us what else has inspired you over the years?
That’s right. In November 2022, I handed over some of my DLMS UA roles to col-leagues. Aleš Potočnik, Director of the Technological Design Centre field, is ta-king the membership of the DLMS UA Board, while Klemen Belec, Product Management Director, is taking over the other technical roles. I will continue to be active in the Qualifications Committee. This shifts the focus of my work from the creation of DLMS specifications towards the implementation and validation of the DLMS protocol.
I am proud of my contribution to the DLMS UA organization. But let us not forget the importance of the contributions of my predecessors, where I can refer to Isaac Newton’s statement “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants”. I am sure that other colleagues who are taking up work in the association, as well as those in the company, will share this view.
