Iskraemeco signed a contract with ENEL, the largest ’s electricity distribution company in Chile to implement a smart grid solution across their network. The solution will have a significant impact on the electricity landscape in Chile. The C&I and G meters MT880 with Ethernet communication will be installed at the head of Enel low-voltage (LV) substation in the capital Santiago de Chile and will enable the smart grid and substation power quality monitoring.

With over two million consumers, Enel Distribution Chile represents 44 percent of the country’s distributors’ total revenues. As part of the project scope Iskraemeco delivered C&I and G meters MT880, technical support for meter configuration and driver development, and conducted internal training for the Symbiot MeterConfigurator software. With the support of the technical teams from Slovenia and Argentina, all meters were equipped with Ethernet modules and their communication protocol was developed and integrated into Enel’s corporate software platform. This project represents Enel’s initial move toward implementing a smart grid, with the aim of equipping 30 percent of secondary substations with smart meters by the end of 2022. Once installed, Iskraemeco’s meters will improve energy efficiency across the city and provide the utility with accurate and reliable measurements, detailed analysis of consumption and power quality, and advanced anti-tampering mechanisms.

As part of the country’s strategy, Chile initiated a joint effort involving laboratories, manufacturers, regulatory entities, and IEC standard representatives several years ago to develop the first technical annex outlining all the technical requirements for developing smart grid monitoring and control systems for low voltage networks. Iskraemeco’s solution met all technical requirements, including delivery times, pricing and local support. Enel chose MT880 as the preferred meter and is the major reference for the Chilean market as it is the first meter to be approved under the new protocols in 2022.

Luciano Gonzalez, Business Development and Solution Manager at Iskraemeco, stated, “Together with our agent José Eduardo Muñoz, we are developing a new market, a new customer, and a new meter. The project fostered a productive working relationship between the technical teams on both sides. We successfully overcome the project challenges with the help of our competent, customer-focused local technical team. – In the midst of the pandemic, it was difficult to satisfy production and delivery deadlines and logistical constraints, but we are pleased to report that we have succeeded.”