Panasonic Industry and Hera Group strengthen their partnership for the international distribution of NexMeter

The Japanese electronics leader consolidates its collaboration with the multi-utility to distribute the 4.0 gas meter NexMeter in the European market. Thanks to its advanced features in measurement and safety in case of dangerous leaks, proven performances in emission reduction and energy efficiency, the device plays an essential role in the decarbonization of consumption centers.

At ENLIT Europe 2024 (Milan, October 22-24), one of the most important fairs for energy transition focusing on innovations in smart grid technologies for decarbonization, Hera Group, one of Italy’s largest multi-utilities, and Panasonic Industry Europe, a subsidiary of the Japanese multinational, strengthen their collaboration by extending the commercial agreement for the distribution of the innovative NexMeter gas meter to the European gas distribution market, with potential future partnerships with global operators.

The collaboration between Gruppo Hera and Panasonic dates back to 2019, when the multi-utility launched its 4.0 smart gas meter, equipped with advanced safety and leakage reduction functions, which later evolved in terms of hardware and software. Conceived by an industrial group with a strong focus on sustainability, NexMeter is mainly built with recyclable components. Since 2021, Hera has also introduced recycled plastic components and obtained the “compatibility” label for green gas mixtures such as hydrogen and biomethane. NexMeter is now a consolidated device. The Hera Group’s development plan has led to the installation of about 300,000 meters mainly in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Emilia-Romagna, areas classified as of high seismic risk. Thanks to its advanced features and shut off valve, the meter can detect gas leaks in the users’ homes, stop the supply in case of dangerous leaks, and alert emergency centers autonomously. To date, 70 alert cases have been recorded, 18 of which avoided serious incidents. Additionally, NexMeter’s extreme sensitivity allows the detection of even small, often hidden leaks, effectively contributing to the reduction of methane emissions into the atmosphere in homes and companies.

Initially developed to meet the needs of areas affected by the 2012 Modena and Ferrara earthquake, over time NexMeter has become a safety tool for people and the environment, with significant benefits in emission reduction and consumption efficiency.

For the Hera Group, the NexMeter is a strategic lever for reducing Scope 3 emissions as outlined in its Climate Transition Plan with a net zero target by 2050. This document, in line with the scientific community guidelines, quantifies the Group’s current and future emission impacts and illustrates both the contribution of external scenario evolution and the internal decarbonization levers the company will implement with an active stakeholder involvement. One of the most innovative aspects of Hera Group’s net zero plan is the aim to reduce emissions not only within its activities but also along the entire value chain, investing in solutions that promote energy efficiency and electrification at consumption centers.

Thanks to the technology adopted for NexMeter, which offers exceptional performance and advanced features, the Hera Group has been a pioneer in smart gas metering. For Panasonic, with over 35 years of market experience, NexMeter represents a significant reference in the European smart gas metering market and fully meets its sustainability goals: among other initiatives by the Japanese group, this project is aimed at creating innovative and green technologies for people’s well-being. This collaboration leverages Panasonic’s experience in the Japanese market, where most meters are equipped with safety functions, particularly through a unique safety logic using pressure, seismic data, and an innovative Ultrasonic Measurement Unit customized for the Italian and European markets.

With over 20 million Ultrasonic Measurement Units installed globally, NexMeter is compatible with sustainable energy sources, including hydrogen (up to 23% in the current version and 100% in the next generation) and biogas, and it is also effective for calorific value measurement.

“The Italian gas system is undergoing a significant transition and change. An evolutionary path where industrialization and technological advancement go hand in hand with the sector’s focus on sustainability, decarbonization, and energy security. To accelerate this process, teamwork among the main sector companies is essential, sharing skills and knowledge. In this context, Hera Group’s contribution is expressed through extensive research and technological evolution with the development of digital tools like NexMeter. The advanced meter we launched and positively tested on the market for 5 years has achieved positive results in home safety in seismic areas and gas leak detection, playing an important role in reducing methane emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore, it represents one of the industrial evolution tracks that the Hera Group brings as a contribution to the energy transition of the gas distribution sector. Besides, it fully fits within the levers for reducing Scope 3 emissions outlined in the Climate Transition Plan with a net zero target by 2050 defined by the Group. The international extension of the partnership with a market leader like Panasonic Industry reaffirms not only the qualities of NexMeter but also our role as pioneers and early adopters in metering. We hope that this meter can support other countries operators in their transition journey and lead to a reconsideration in terms of remuneration by the Italian regulatory authority,” said Alessandro Baroncini, Central Network Director of Gruppo Hera.

Winfried Neumayer, Senior Director of Panasonic Industry Europe, added: “Our participation in this collaboration marks a significant step towards expanding our business in Europe. Extending the commercial agreement with Gruppo Hera to promote the revolutionary NexMeter in the European gas distribution market represents an extraordinary opportunity for Panasonic to establish new partnerships with global gas operators. Our collaboration with Gruppo Hera underscores Panasonic’s commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability. NexMeter is the ideal solution for European gas distributors to achieve their environmental sustainability goals. Collaborating with Gruppo Hera, Panasonic brings extensive knowledge and experience. While Panasonic specializes in providing advanced components, Gruppo Hera’s extensive expertise in gas distribution makes them an ideal partner for this venture. This union is destined to improve gas distribution by combining Japanese precision with European industry experience.”

 

A technology that also looks confidently at hydrogen blending

NexMeter is also “hydrogen ready,” being the only meter field-tested with a methane and hydrogen blend in the gas distribution network of the Italian Castelfranco Emilia (Mo) town. After the second injection test, the multi-utility started a working group involving the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and the Fire Brigade to test a blend with higher hydrogen percentages.

 

The NexMeter Core Project

Thanks to the success of NexMeter’s features over the past 5 years, the multi-utility has decided to replace all its meters with new device evolutions and a subsequent generation of NexMeter starting in 2029. The next meters produced will also be recognizable as “NexMeter Core” thanks to an identifying logo that will be affixed to mark the project’s evolutionary consolidation, both in terms of gas composition measurement, including blending, and its energy value, aiming for greater efficiency and consumption reduction.