Elster Launches New AS300 Residential Smart Electricity Meter to Meet International Demand for Advanced Smart Grid Functionality

ESSEN, Germany, January 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Smart Meter features aesthetic design and next-generation capabilities to meet specific Smart Metering market requirements -

Today, Elster (NYSE: ELT) announced the launch of the new AS300 residential smart electricity meter for the European market. This is the latest advance in Elster's integrated solutions portfolio and an innovative addition to the company's global advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) offerings.

Designed with a modern aesthetic for interior residential deployments, which are common across Europe, the AS300 will initially be marketed to European utilities as they work to comply with the EU's 2009/28/EC directive to install Smart Meters in 80 percent of homes by 2020.

Elster's complete suite of Smart Metering and Smart Grid solutions, including the AS300, smart gas and water meters, meter data management software and in-home display units, provides flexible and comprehensive solutions for both dual and single fuel applications.

The AS300 offers a modular design allowing utilities the flexibility to quickly and easily exchange communications technologies throughout the life of the meter to protect their investment as technology and regulatory requirements evolve.

"We are excited to introduce an innovative, next-generation Smart Meter that will specifically address energy requirements in European markets," said Frank Hyldmar, executive vice president, Elster Integrated Solutions and Elster Electricity International.

"Smart Metering is the foundation of the Smart Grid and the release of the AS300 will help empower consumers and utilities to reduce energy consumption in line with the EU's target for a 20 percent reduction by 2020," Hyldmar added.

Designed to comply with the latest industry standards for data privacy and security, the AS300 provides customers with additional proprietary technology to protect against fraud and tampering.

With a comprehensive array of interchangeable features and functions, Elster plans to market specific variations of the AS300 that meet the individual requirements for each customer it serves. The AS300 will be on display at the 2011 E-World Energy & Water Exhibition February 8-10 in Essen, Germany.

"As a pioneer in developing innovative metering technologies, Elster is bringing the AS300 to market as the Smart Grid conversion in Europe begins," said Kim Norgaard, vice president sales and marketing, Elster Integrated Solutions and Elster Electricity International.

"We believe the AS300, which is built on open standards to facilitate interoperability, and designed with dual fuel applications in mind, is set to further enable Smart Grid adoption across Europe," Norgaard added.

About Elster

Elster (NYSE: ELT) is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. The company's offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services - key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Elster's products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. The company sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit http://www.elster.com.