Munich saves the Smart Way

Smart Grid for Stadtwerke München

To save energy, you first have to know how much energy you consume. This simple thought is the basis for the smart grid technology. Intelligent meters at the switching points of power utilities and in the household inform consumers of how much electricity they use when and at what rate it is charged. The objective of all of this is to improve energy efficiency and achieve the common climate protection goals of the supply industry and legislators. The foundation for collecting and transmitting all this information is a data transfer network that transports large quantities of data to every household quickly and reliably. In this connection, Munich’s public utility Stadtwerke München (SWM) sought a technology partner who could supply and implement the concept and material planning for a passive network across the whole of Munich intelligently and reliably. The requirement: The network is to enable data rates in excess of 100 Mbits a second in future. The aim was to improve the infrastructure extensively and rapidly: By spring time 2014, every home within Munich’s central ring road will have a fiber-optic connection.

Know-how wins

euromicron NBG – a subsidiary of the euromicron Group from Gmünd, Austria – won the invitation to tender in the face of competition from several well-known rivals thanks to its tried-and-tested, reliable technology. “In the pilot phase, we were able to demonstrate our competence in supplying high-quality materials for an FTTX network.” euromicron NBG uses an empty pipe concept for creating the network. In this, optical fibers are blown into empty pipes throughout the passive network, from the distribution point to the customer. “In particular in this project phase, we were able to generate economic advantages for our customer and reduce the costs of underground work and shaft material thanks to the length and speed at which we were able to blow in the fibers,” says Project Manager Michael Peter.

Fail-proof solution

euromicron’s solution is also distinguished by exactly fitting SWM’s requirements – from a special cabinet solution, to training of the installation firms to technical support for the components, including those from other suppliers. One major issue was also failure tolerance – in urban areas, lines are repeatedly damaged as a result of building work and their operation has to be resumed as quickly as possible. Stadtwerke München is well-known for a very high level of failure tolerance and requires feasible concepts, which euromicron NBG ensures thanks to a careful choice of material and strict controls. euromicron NBG impressed in this complex project with the full service of a system integrator. euromicron NBG is able to provide product- and project-specific support for the entire passive network concept and has proven its extensive expertise in one of the very large broadband projects in Germany.

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