Naturgy to optimise smart metering for grid digitalisation with Arkossa

Spanish multinational Naturgy has signed an agreement to implement a grid digitalisation and modernisation pilot with Arkossa Smart Solutions.

Naturgy will implement Arkossa’s PLEXUS service in the Ciudad Real area as part of efforts to digitise the city’s electricity infrastructure to enhance operations and customer services.

Arkossa says its service will help Naturgy to fully optimise the performance of smart metering infrastructure by ensuring secure and accurate data telemetry.

The technology firm says the service will enable the utility to address cybersecurity issues whilst ensuring an increased lifespan for smart metering infrastructure.

As a result, it will be easier for consumers to access and make use of smart meter data for energy management purposes, a development that will help improve energy reliability, sustainability and quality services, according to the statement.

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Victor Dominguez, the CEO of Arkossa, said: “The strong transformation that the electricity distribution sector is experiencing with the arrival of smart meter networks requires the transformation of how the operation and maintenance of these are carried out and, this is a good example of this.”

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The pilot will be deployed in phases with the first segment targeting the low voltage networks to enhance the efficiency and performance of transformer stations. The pilot will be conducted in partnership with Naturgy’s electricity distribution arm UFD.

Naturgy, grid modernisation and the energy transition

The signing of the deal follows Naturgy announcing that it will spend €14 billion ($15.8 billion) in the next five years to digitise and electrify its system in a bid to increase its role in the energy transition.

The investment is expected to help Naturgy to achieve its 2050 net-zero goal and to ensure that close to 60% of installed power are renewable sources.

Up to 60% of these investments will be in renewables and new businesses, 30% in grids, and the remainder in energy management and marketing. 

The capital is expected to triple Naturgy’s installed renewable capacity from the current 4.6GW to 14GW internationally by 2025. The majority of the renewables capacity will be installed in Europe (+5.2GW), Australia (+2.2GW), and in the US and Chile.

Technologies including hydrogen, smart mobility, energy storage and distributed generation will be prioritised, according to the statement.

The 2021–2025 Strategic Plan is expected to result in a net profit of €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) by 2025.