For several years, SICAME, SEIFEL and CATU have been mobilizing around the success of the Linky smart meter project and its deployment. This technological revolution, led by ENEDIS requires, in regards to its geographic scope, energy transition and technical requirements, sustained progress in terms of innovation, production and logistics to support the implementation of one of the largest single meter replacement programs ever seen in France. This development fits into a more global European framework.

The Group has demonstrated its know-how in responding to the needs of Linky project actors who need solutions which are simple and quick to implement to cover all scenarios, as well as high levels of safety for installers faced with the increasing workloads when installing these meters.

As a reminder, in a world in which electricity is undergoing profound changes, it is expected that more than 1.2 billion smart meters will be installed around the world by the end of 2021. 

In France, ENEDIS will install 35 million Linky meters in the voltage range < 36 kVA. At the peak of the deployment process, nearly 175,000 meters need to be installed each week (700,000/month), an industrial challenge as well as a logistical one, for this ambitious project and essential to the success of the energy transition. Last November, the Belgian network operator ORES decided in favour of the French Linky meter for installation on the Walloon networks.

Acceleration of the installation process

In France, more than 6 million Linky meters have been installed since 1 December 2015. More than 5,000 Linky installers belonging to partner companies are on the ground to support the acceleration of the installation process. These advanced interactive meters, designed to have a service life of 20 years, will help to reduce energy consumption and new players in energy services that will make life easier for consumers and optimize the cost of networks and their energy performance.

Consuming better and less

The specifications of the Linky communicating meter reflect the specifications of the CBE (Compteur Bleu Electronique) by enriching them with 7 major components and features. Its automatic control device (integrated in the meter), in series in the power section, can turn off the flow of electricity to the building.

For example, if a surge is detected by the meter, the switch opens to prevent possible damage. The Linky includes software which can be remotely updated to meet the needs on the distribution network (self-consumption, micro-grids, control of electric vehicle charging). Also included are a communications modem (CPL), a clock (in the meter) to manage changes of rates, and 7 virtual contacts added to the dry contact (already present in the electronic blue meters), to be able to control new electrical equipment in the house. It also has space to connect a radio module (optional) enabling appliances in the home to be controlled. Linky is also ANSSI (National Agency for Security Information Systems) and CNIL (National Commission for Computing and Freedoms) certified. These certifications are essential because Linky will harvest and collect huge amounts of data that can then be transformed into the information required for the development of new services and uses. 

The Group is actively involved in this transformation with: 

SICAME: a whole range of installation kits 

As part of the Linky project, SICAME has been selected to provide ENEDIS with power supply kits (EBCP) for the Linky concentrators located in each of the 350,000 cabins of the LV distribution network. But ENEDIS is not its only customer, since this kit is also sold in Belgium, which is adopting the Linky, and with its partner ITRON for other Linky smart meter markets in Asia in particular. 

The concentrator market is valued at several hundred thousand Euros for 2018. SICAME has also developed a "fuse kit" for LV switchboards for certain substation configurations. The installation of concentrators in H61 substations (high-end transformers) also boosts sales of traditional products: accessories and lugs for underground and overhead networks, perforated insulation connectors, collars, cable trays, strips. SICAME also provides an installation template for Linky meters. 

SEIFEL: plates, certified replacement kits and accessories. 

SEIFEL, which joined the SICAME Group in April 2017, also provides: 

- high cabinets and CIBE terminals integrating the Linky concentrator CPL support plates in the H61 substations. 

- kits for replacing the CBE (Compteur Bleu Électronique). 

- patented Mono Type A control panels specifically designed to replace the old, shallow CBE panels. 

- its patented Linky high/low adaptation kits (to solve the problem of high or low cable entries in old meters). 

- various accessories (enclosures, wood panels, shutters, ENEDIS seals) for Linky installers. 

CATU: a full range of tools and PPE for live installation of the smart meter. 

CATU's involvement in the Linky project has resulted in the development of a range of tools and PPE for technicians trained in LV live working for the new meter. Regarding new products, CATU had success with its new MO44 bag, in addition to the success of the VAT MS9172ERDF. The launch in September 2018 of the new 12 cal/cm2 ArcFlach range of clothing should complete the offer. On the training side, CATU is the sole supplier of APAVE, with its installation kits. 

The Linky project therefore represents, for the Group as a whole, a turnover of several million Euros until the end of the project in 2022.