SM-RI 2 and Q.Sonic plus in bi-directional continu-ous series operation

Anniversary – 165 years of Elster

Smart meter roll-out with ENCODER

P r o f i l e sThe Elster-Instromet customer magazine 2/2013

2 EDITORIAl Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

This was Elster’s motto when it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1998. Mathema­ticians will have worked out that Elster has already added a further 10% to this in 2013 and that the 165th anniversary is upon us. Somehow I can’t help feeling that as much has happened in these past 15 years in the gas industry and at Elster as during the preceding 150 years.

In the gas industry, we have seen the change from municipal utility companies to grid operators, metering service providers and energy distributors and to a certain extent back again. In metrology, it seems that the simple, robust diaphragm gas meter used for over 150 years just to mea­sure gas consumption is evolving into a smart meter in many countries. Meters are expected to provide not just the read­ing but also to transmit the meter data and provide many other functions.

Over the past 15 years, Elster has signifi­cantly grown. Not only has it expanded its gas business by acquiring Magnol in 1999 and Instromet in 2000, but it has also entered the water and electricity sec­tors with the takeover of ABB Messtechnik. Incidentally, over the last 15 years Elster has had two changes of ownership which is the same number as in the previous 150 years.

Overall, our lives have become faster, more hectic and subjected to more changes. This is no different in the gas industry and the companies working in this field. It’s a good thing that we have many new employees who readily take on these changes and drive them for­ward. But it is also a good thing that we have employees who have worked for us for much longer than these 15 years and who can keep our feet on the ground. The mix is important and we have a good mix at Elster.

“Forever Young” was the motto 15 years ago. When I look around me today and see all of the changes, it should now read: “Younger Than Ever”! With our very best wishes,

Peter HampelSales Director Metering International

Forever Young!

PublisherElster GmbH55252 Mainz-Kastel, Germanywww.elster-instromet.com

Editorial staff Gudrun Biedermann, Elster GermanyPaul Webster, Elster Instromet UKK. C. Tan, Elster-Instromet Singapore

Please write toEurope/Africa/America/Australia:Elster GmbHGudrun BiedermannSteinern Strasse 19–2155252 Mainz-Kastel, GermanyT +49 6134 6 05-2 18E gudrun.biedermann@elster.com

Asia:Elster-Instromet Sdn. Bhd.K. C. Tan29 Tai Seng Avenue#06-05A Natural Cool lifestyle HubSingapore 534119T +65 62477728E kctan@elster-instromet.com.sg

England:Elster Metering ltd.Steve CaseTollgate Business ParkBeaconside, StaffordStaffordshire ST16 3HS, EnglandT +44 1785 275306E steve.case@gb.elster.com

Authors Hans Arp, Elster GermanyAddy Baksteen, Elster-Instromet Nl Michael Franz, Elster Germany Dmitry Gusev, Elster RussiaMichael Halm, Elster Germany Peter Hampel, Elster Germany Ernst Peter, GWF lucerneRüdiger Pfeil, Elster GermanyRainer Sesterheim, Elster GermanyHans-Peter Smid, Elster BelgiumRüdiger Timm, Elster Germany Articles signed by the author reflect their personal opinion.

Customer magazine online:www.elster-instromet.com

Page 10: © iStockphoto.com/GlobalStock Dr Feix Translation Agency

Publishing dates:Three editions for the year 2013

APPl ICATIONS 3 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

A great advantage is that all the main assemblies and devices are supplied by manufacturing companies of the Elster family. Thus, no additional interface clear­ances were required.

Three identical measurement lines (sized 3 x 50% of Qmax) allow operation either singly or in parallel. Thanks to the redun­dant design, maintenance work is also possible while maintaining the full supply capacity.

All Elster meters are latest generation devices and therefore represent the current state of the art. Particularly note­

German premiere for bi-directional turbine gas meters:

SM-RI 2 and Q.Sonicplus in bi-directional continuous series operation

Turbine gas meters (SM-RI 2) are being used in Germany in bi-directional operation for the first time. In combination with our ultrasonic gas meter, Q.Sonic plus, measurement lines are being implemented that are virtually maintenance-free. This device combination fulfils the legal unlimited recalibration requirements of a series connection using two different physical measuring principles.

worthy is the fact that the SM­RI 2 is the first MID approved turbine gas meter for bi­directional operation in Europe.

The turbine gas meters used in the project implemented here are equipped with a fully automatic lubrication system which is also quantity­weighted. Lubrication and oil level are, of course, monitored.

The technical capabilities and also the MID approval of the SM­RI 2 allow utilization of the full measuring range of the Q.Sonicplus, if the nominal size is the same. The opti­mized design of the SM­RI 2 reduces the pressure drop by around 50% in compari­son with conventional turbine gas meters.

The maximum MID approved measuring range for the SM­RI 2 in the 16 inch nom­inal size is 320 to 16,000 m³/h. The meters of the system were calibrated up to Qmax 12,900 m³/h at the “Euroloop” high­pres­sure test rig in Rotterdam.

The second meter in the series connection is the ultrasonic gas meter Q.Sonicplus. This constitutes the permanent reference meter. The Q.Sonicplus uses CMB (Coded Multiple Burst) signal processing which achieves increased signal detection. The Q.Sonicplus has six reflection paths. The arrangement of the paths and the double reflection paths ensure optimal gas profile detection.

New: measurement lines in bi-directional continuous operation

4 APPl ICATIONS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

The design of the gas quality analysis sys­tem is redundant. It consists of the Elster gas chromatograph EnCal 3000 with inte­grated H2 measurement. The analysis system is complemented by a sulphur analysis measurement system from Messrs. Axel Semrau. The energy and flow rates are calculated using flow computer F1n from the gas­net series. Here, process data is recorded and made available for further use (e.g. in the control system) via various data interfaces and protocols such as DSfG or Modbus. Signed data is trans­mitted over gas­net M1. A special feature

Elster presented the EnCal 3000 gas chromatograph for the first time eight years ago. The aim was to offer a compact analyzer based on MEMS technology. Thanks to this technology, a compact measuring device was developed which could analyze natural gas from up to five metering points.

The EnCal App store:

Take your pick

in this DSfG measuring equipment group is that the official system time is synchron­ized via GPS. Connection to the PTB time server is thus not required. The commis­sioning is successfully completed and the system meets all the planned require­ments. Particular mention should be made of the meter synchronization behaviour. The deviations are minimal, in a range from 0.06% to 0.23% – an outstanding result!

Thanks to the excellent cooperation between the customer Storengy Deutsch­

land GmbH, the planer UGS (Untergrund­speicher­ und Geotechnologie­Systeme GmbH) from Mittenwalde, and our Elster project team from Dortmund, the project was successfully implemented in accor­dance with all high requirements.

The result illustrates a bi­directional con­tinuous operation system which is so far unique in Germany for traditional turbine gas meter equipment with the most up­to­date ultrasonic gas metering technology – and let’s hope it is the first of many more systems of this type to come!.Rüdiger Timm ruediger.timm@elster.com

The standard EnCal 3000 unit determines the percentage by volume of all hydrocar­bons (C6+ or C9+) in natural gas up to hexane or nonane as well as determining the proportion of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

The injection of biogas and in future of hydrogen into the grid has resulted in new requirements on gas quality analyzers. Device technology must be flexible to

allow for these changing gas composi­tions in the supply networks to be deter­mined. In order to be able to offer such flexibility, Elster has further developed the EnCal, using the standard unit as a basis.

The EnCal 3000 internally consists of the following main components:• Mainboard and interconnection board• Stream selector block• Two micro­column modules

EnCal 3000 in use

The system cabinet offers clear control capabilities.

APPl ICATIONS 5 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

The mainboard handles all the calcula­tions and controls the analysis. The inter­connection board supplies power to the analyzer and the interface connections to the customer. The stream selector block routes the different gas streams to the two micro­column modules where the natural gas is analyzed.

This platform is the same for every EnCal 3000. The channels comprise an electronic pressure regulator, an injector, a separation column and a detector. The combination of the different available sep­aration columns and their configuration is called the application.

By simply choosing different columns, changing configurations or installing addi­tional hardware, the EnCal 3000 shows its flexibility.

It is highly adaptable and can therefore be used in many different applications.Think of a smartphone as the platform: you use an App store to choose your applications. The EnCal 3000 is the plat­form and the analyzer applications are the apps in the App store.

Most of these apps can be combined into a single and thus more powerful analysis system.

To give an indication of the possibilities, here is an overview of the most common applications:

Biogas production is becoming more common but the quality of the gas is subject to certain limit val­ues. Not only in terms of the

calorific value but also the hydrogen and sulphur content. The biogas application requires different separation columns in the EnCal and is to be regarded as a stan­dard product.

The hydrogen content in natural gas must not exceed certain levels. There are two reasons for this: safety and energy content.

To begin with the latter, high levels of hydrogen will alter the calorific value of the gas significantly and therefore change the combustion characteristics of the gas.

The hydrogen can be generated by elec­trolyzing water using an electrical source like surplus solar or wind energy. The advantage is that when energy demand is low, the hydrogen acts as an energy carrier and the pipeline as the store for that energy.

There are plans to inject hydrogen into the natural gas grid. This will also have an impact on the price/Nm3.

The second reason for concern is that ele­vated hydrogen levels in natural gas can affect the pipeline materials used. Think of burst resistance, fast crack propaga­tion, adhesion resistance of internal coat­ings and fatigue crack behaviour.

Similarly, higher oxygen concentrations would increase the risk of uncontrolled oxidation in the pipelines.

For pipeline integrity, it is vital that the sulphur con­tent of the natural gas is monitored. H2S and COS can be measured as indi­

vidual components or in combination with the calorific value.

The hydrocarbon dew point (HCDP) is universally used in the natural gas industry as an important quality parameter. By supplement­

ing the EnCal with an external control unit, the customer also has the option of calcu­lating the HCDP. Measurements are taken for the analysis up to C9+, while the val­ues for C10 to C12 are extrapolated from these results. Alternatively, the EnCal can carry out an analysis up to C12+ and then calculate the HCDP.

Odorization of natural gas is important for safety rea­sons. Natural gas does not have an intrinsically strong smell or colour. Tetrahydro­

thiophene (THT) and/or tert­butyl mercap­tane (TBM) can be added to overcome this. When doing so, checking the amount of odorant is crucial.

By complementing the analyzer with a multi­level calibration (MLC) function, the accuracy is increased from 0.1% to 0.06%. This is

done by calculating the true (non­linear) response function of the TCD and entering the formula of this cubic function in the analyzer.

If two separation columns are not enough to do the job, the EnCal can be deliv­ered with a maximum of four columns. In principle,

the EnCal Quad is composed of two EnCals connected together but with a single CPU to combine the analysis of all column modules in a single report.

For example, we could combine full natu­ral gas analysis up to C9, calculate the HCDP and determine the H2S, COS and H2O content in two further column mod­ules.

Alternatively, you could calculate the HCDP using an analysis up to C12 and, in addition, analyze the H2S/COS, water and THT/TBM content.

So take your pick from the applications Elster has to offer and combine them in your EnCal 3000 chromatograph.

Hans­Peter Smid hans­peter.smid@elster.com

Bio- gas

H2SCOS

THTTBM

MLC

QUAD

HCDP

H2O2

6 APPl ICATIONS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

As a multi­utility energy provider, the com­pany generates a total annual turnover of 60 million Swiss Francs providing gas, water and electricity. Werkbetriebe Frauen feld has about 45 employees.

The gas and electricity sectors are operated as a trading business whereas the total water volume is supplied from own resources. The meter park consists of approximately 14,000 electricity meters, 4,400 water meters and 3,300 gas meters. In the near future, another mile­stone in the district heating and local heating sector is planned – in cooperation with a neighbouring municipality. In the first stage, about 80 metering points are planned which are likely to be integrated in the AMR infrastructure.

In 2010, the utility company, supported by the city council, decided to introduce smart metering technology. The main focus was to replace the existing ripple control. At the same time, the gas and water meters were to be connected to the new smart electricity meters. This was to be done through cabling via the M­Bus interface in accordance with the EN 13757­2/3 standard.

The gas and water meters supplied by GWF comprise the patented Absolute ENCODER technology which has been developed by GWF. The advantages speak for themselves: no battery in the index, no sensing lines, no parameterization and always an absolute meter reading. Even in the event of a total power outage, the absolute meter data is transmitted with the next reading. This prevents gas losses

that might result from non­registered pulses in the recording device.

Since 2006, GWF has been supplying only the Elster gas diaphragm meters with Absolute ENCODER index to the utility company in Frauenfeld. The long­estab­lished business partnership with GWF – and their innovative products – in the gas sector encouraged the utility company to equip its water meter park with the GWFcoder® technology, too.

Already during the introduction phase of the gas diaphragm meters with Absolute ENCODER, the utility company made the decision to use meters with this technology for the annual replacement of meters, too. These meters can now be connected to the system without additional parameter­ization efforts.

Utility company Werkbetriebe Frauenfeld:

Smart Meter roll-out with Absolute ENCODER technology

Werkbetriebe Frauenfeld, a medium-sized Swiss company, is the energy supplier of the capital of the canton of Thurgau. The utility company operates a comprehensive electricity, natural gas and water grid.

Project partners Florin Hollenstein (Manager of building automation for the natural gas and water sector) and Jürg Seemann (Heating Market Manager)

APPl ICATIONS 7 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Smart Metering roll-outThe major driving force behind the project was the electricity sector with the ripple control that would have had to be replaced in the medium term. Thus, it was obvious that the other media should also be inte­grated in the project in order to optimize the reading process as a whole. The major goal is to integrate the complete meter park in the Smart Metering infrastructure by 2019.

In addition, the utility company operates an inter­regional natural gas grid. The Absolute ENCODER technology of Elster’s diaphragm gas meters is used for these end customers, too. The collection of data (recording of meter reading) will be based on radio technology. The data is retrieved via wireless M­Bus (EN 13757­4) twice a year using the drive­by procedure.

GWF MessSysteme AG is the leading company for the measurement and the recording of consumption data for electricity, gas, water and heat in Switzerland. GWF offers its customers trend­setting system solutions for the reading and com­munication as well as the management of measurement data.

GWF has been in a cooperative partnerhip with Elster for many years. Elster uses the smart ENCODER indexes of their Swiss colleagues and installs them on the gas meters. But GWF’s product range also includes products from Elster.

Thanks to the long­time experience with high­precision measuring equipment, the high professionalism and development expertise and the patented GWFcoder® technology, GWF provides trend­setting Smart Metering system solutions which contribute to sustainable use of energy resources. GWF systems are modular and migration­capable. The standardized data interfaces enable interoperability with all common system components and future communications technologies.

The Swiss family business with about 140 employees and with a success story of over 110 years has developed from a proven measuring equipment manufacturer to a competent and innovative partner for metering systems and meter data management.

GWF looks forward to remaining a reliable partner of Werkbetriebe Frauenfeld in the future. Ernst Peter (Switzerland) ernst.peter@gwf.ch Hans Arp (Germany) hans.arp@elster.com

8 PRODUCTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

The permitted natural gas quality is set out in DVGW Code of Practice G 260 “Gas quality”. According to this the grid calorific value may fluctuate between 8.4 and 13.1 kWh/m³.

Certain industries, however, are depen­dent on a stable calorific value or Wobbe index of the natural gas.

These industries include the glass and ceramics processing industries, brick­works, roofing tile plants, etc. In other words, industries in which flames are the tool.. And this should be as precise as possible because the quality demands of consumers are constantly rising.

So what can be done if the calorific value or Wobbe index of the natural gas which provides the energy for the process fluctu­ates and is allowed to fluctuate under DVGW Code of Practice G 260?

On the one hand, it is possible to raise the calorific value of the natural gas by adding a precise volume of a gas with a higher calorific value (e.g. propane). This allows the calorific value fluctuations from the natural gas supply grid to be compen­sated, which means that the calorific value at the consumption point, e.g. the natural gas burner, is stable.

On the other hand, it is possible to adjust the calorific value to a lower but stable calorific value by adding a highly precise volume of air so as to compensate for this

type of calorific value fluctuations from the natural gas supply grid. Often, however, the stabilization of the Wobbe index is more important for the process than the calorific value.

The Wobbe index is the quotient of the calorific value (Hs) or heating value (Hi) and the square root of the relative density. The relative density is the quotient of the density of the fuel gas and the density of dry air in the same pressure and temper­ature conditions. The Wobbe index can be used to assess the interchangeability of fuel gases. Fuel gases with the same Wobbe index produce the same heat load in the burner if the same nozzle pressure is used. Thus, the burner nozzle must not be replaced.

The Wobbe index uses the same unit as the calorific value, namely kWh/m³.

Between 1995 and 2002, Elster installed and commissioned so­called Wobbe sys­tems or gas mixing systems for the glass processing industry. These systems were mainly supplied with compressed air from the factory compressed air system or external compressors which supplied conditioned air. The use of these Wobbe systems stabilized the Wobbe index for part or all of the factory’s internal natural gas network.

The right partner for improving your process

Creating stable conditions

Natural gas is a natural product which comes in a range of qualities and origins. The composition of the gas changes depending on the delivery situation of the utility companies. To keep the billing of the energy, in other words the natural gas, as accurate as possible, the gas must be measured continuously at the injection stations in the grid area concerned.

Ws =Hs

air air

Wi =Hi

Upper Wobbe index lower Wobbe index

or

PRODUCTS 9 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

The core of these systems at the time was the GAS­ACE station computer from the Elster branch in Dortmund (Flow Comp). The Wobbe index of the mixed gas was recorded by a calorimeter. The measuring and control technology has been improved since then and adjusted to comply with current industry standards.

Today, the Wobbe index of the mixed gas is adjusted by a volume ratio control system. The required volume ratio is determined by measuring the natural

gas quality at the injection point (e.g. using an EnCal 3000). The volume of natural gas is determined by gas volume measuring instruments (quantometers or rotary gas meters). The consumer can then determine the purchase volume.

The volume of air is also determined by gas volume measuring instruments (quantometers or rotary gas meters). The volume of air is regulated by a high­speed regulator (e.g. a pneumatic or electric control valve). The quality of the mixed gas is monitored by a high­speed gas quality analyzer.

A state­of­the­art programmable logic controller such as a SIEMENS SIMATIC­S7 is used nowadays as the station computer with a visualization system and data com­munication to a control centre.

Elster is the right point of contact for bespoke, turnkey all­in solutions in this field as well. Often, the situation at the end customer does not permit the Wobbe system to be installed in the gas supply room. In many cases, the compressed air supply system must be planned with a drying unit or an additional building must be built on the customer’s factory site.

Adjusting the gas quality is not just a matter for natural gas supplies. The same technology is also used for planning natu­

ral gas substitution systems. These systems provide an alternative to natural gas using a mixture of propane and air in countries where supplies of natural gas cannot always be maintained for production proc esses.

Another application is LCV gas condition­ing systems for landfill gas. In these sys­tems, the steadily decreasing quality of the LCV gas, for example from a landfill site, is conditioned using natural gas. This means that the consumer (e.g. CHPs) can be operated stably using this gas mixture. With the appropriate expertise and spe­cialist gas volume measuring instruments and gas quality analyzers, a competent systems engineering department and an experienced project team, Elster is the ideal partner for turning your process improvement ideas into reality.

Michael Halm michael.halm@elster.com

EnCal 3000

Natural gas Mixed gas

gas-lab Q1 gas-lab Q1

SSV

Air

Solenoidvalve

Controlvalve

Air volume measurement

Gas volume measurment Static mixer

Function diagram of a Wobbe system

Q

PZ

OO

P

Q

10 PRODUCTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

EK280 operation made easy:

Clear structures in the user interface

The EK280 offers many functions and new options. We reported on this in the last editions of Profiles. Today, we would like to describe to you the structure of the user interface on the unit and within the enSuite software in somewhat greater detail. This is because these represent your communications channel to the EK280.

or externally connected modem, for example. It signals pending messages, alarms and warnings with corresponding letters.

The most important aspects at a glanceThe “Main” tab contains the current meter readings for the standard and operating volume, the current pressure, the temper­ature and the conversion factor, in addi­tion to the compressibility (Fig. 1). If you so wish, you can reduce the contents of the tab to a minimum number of displayed values such as the operating and stan­dard volume, for instance (Fig. 2).

Information for the customerA definable number of values is displayed in the tab in a simple list, depending on customer access rights. This is where you can also find the peak­load values of the data logging function, for instance. Is the display to be restricted to this tab so

The user interface of the EK280 is subdi­vided into two areas: the topmost line (status line) is available at all times and displays information on the current status of the unit. The area beneath it is subdi­vided into several tabs – the content is based on the requirements and access rights of the various user groups. The content of the tab currently selected in each case is displayed in this area.

The unit status – all OK?With a few symbols, the status line pro­vides information in relation to the most important unit statuses, such as remain­ing service life of the unit’s battery or the reception field strength of the integrated

Fig. 3: The Customer menuFig. 2: Short overview

Fig. 1: Everything at a glance

PRODUCTS 11 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

as to prevent unauthorized access to the others? Not a problem – you can set the number of tabs displayed individually (Fig. 3).

Administration and serviceOf course, the unit administrator (e.g. the meter operator) and a service technician (calibration officers) need all available val­ues and parameters to make changes or interpret status information during com­missioning. For this purpose, the two tabs “Admin” and “Serv.” keep at hand all required values and parameters grouped logically and arranged in a tree structure (Fig. 4).

The difference between the two tabs is that they provide the service technician and the calibration officer with even more additional functions which are required for their relevant tasks in each case. For instance, these are functions used during a test and also the data book.

It is advantageous that the enSuite parameterization software uses the same structure in the navigation tree under the

“Parameterize online” function (Figs. 4 and 5). This means that if you are familiar with programming the unit, you will also be familiar with the “enSuite” software or vice­versa.

ControlThe parameters for monitoring special settings of the unit have been transferred to the “Ctrl.” tab. These are scheduled for use by administrators and service techni­cians only. Amongst other items, you can define how many tabs are to be displayed and what values the user can see in the main screen (“Main”).

“Go back to Start”Imagine you have delved deeply into the structure of the parameter tree and want to quickly go back again to the main screen without individually closing the menu items which have dropped down and selecting the “Main” tab. Well, that’s no problem! The context menu of the EK280 provides a corresponding function

for this which can be accessed simply and quickly: activate the context menu with the function button, select the “Go to Main” function and that’s it (Fig. 6). The functions which clear the status register or allow you to freeze the current display for servic­ing purposes are also extremely useful.

The diversity of functions and the new options of our volume conversion device EK280 mean many setting options. Orga n­izing operation so that it remains clearly arranged both for the “simple” user (cus­tomer) and for administrators and servic­ing staff is without doubt a challenge. Thanks to this new operating philosophy, we have overcome this challenge and have implemented intuitive use of the unit – without additional software either. This allows you to reach your goal more quickly!

Rüdiger Pfeil ruediger.pfeil@elster.com

Fig. 5: In the parameterization software enSuite, the individual parameters (in this case, the parameters for the internal modem) are also displayed in exactly the same way as on the unit.

Fig. 4: logical grouping and display on the unit and in the enSuite parameterization software are the same.

Fig. 6: The context menu – important functions

at the press of a button

12 PRODUCTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

EK270 – volume conversion and more:

Holistic approach to gas metering consistent with Russian federal requirements

ElSTER Gaselectronica is serving the gas metering market in Russia and produces specific products for the region. One of the main devices produced by ElSTER Gaselectronica is a metering system SG-EK comprising a gas meter TRZ or RVG and an elec-tronic volume conversion device EK270.

Volume conversion device EK270 has been custom­designed for manufacture and sale in the market of the Russian Federation. The EK270 has been designed taking into consideration both RF national standards and requests of gas suppliers and consumers which have arisen from daily use of volume conversion devices EK260.

Measuring pressure drop across the gas meterPursuant to the requirements of the national standard of the Russian Federa­tion GOST R 8.740­2011, turbine and rotary gas meters must conduct periodic differ­ential pressure measurements. The tech­nologies used for differential pressure measurement in these cases may vary, however. Pressure measurements may be taken on the body of the rotary gas meter and on the straight pipe sections upstream and downstream of the turbine meter.

Depending on changes in pressure drop across the meter in the course of opera­tion, maintenance work on the meter or a non­scheduled verification may be necessary.

A distinctive feature of the solution offered by ELSTER Gaselectronica is the combina­tion of measurements of standard gas volume and differential pressure and storage of measured values in the same archive within a single device (volume conversion device EK270). Depending on the specific operating conditions, each type and size of gas meter is fitted with matching differential pressure transducers featuring a corresponding upper measur­ing limit (Figs. 1 and 2).

The archived differential pressure values and values of other parameters may be browsed through either directly on the unit display or on the PC screen upon reading and evaluating the archive using the SODEK software suite.

On request, more than half of the volume conversion devices EK270 produced in 2011 and 2012 were equipped with differ­ential pressure transducers. The differen­

Fig. 1: Volume conversion device EK270

Fig. 2: Differential pressure transducer mounted to the body of volume conversion device EK270

PRODUCTS 13 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

tial pressure transducer version with digital output enables remote installation of the EK270 at a distance of up to 10 m from the relevant gas meter. In this case, the differ­ential pressure transducer is installed next to the gas meter.

Electronic volume conversion devices EK270 may be retrofitted with a differential pressure transducer with digital output directly at the installation site of the meter­ing system by experts of ELSTER Gaselec­tronica’s regional service centres.

Measuring ambient temperatureIn some regions of the Russian Federation with low ambient temperatures in winter, ambient temperature monitoring has become a mandatory requirement. The EK270 offers the option of connecting a second transducer to be used for this purpose.

Storing ambient temperature values in the archive of the EK270 allows for remote monitoring of the ambient temperature, e.g. the temperature in the heated gas meter cabinet. The SODEK software suite enables readout and evaluation of this data, as well as visualization in the form of various reports.

Supply of the SG-EK system with a straight pipe setAnother requirement of the national standard of the Russian Federation GOST R 8.740­2011 consists in the certifi­cation of straight piping upstream and downstream of the gas meter (if the device documentation stipulates require­ments as to the length of such straight pipe sections). Accordingly, ELSTER Gas­electronica has launched manufacture and organized supply of the certified (by the Regional representative of the Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and

Metrology – Rosstandart) straight pipe sets (SPS) for the entire range of gas meters produced. A complete supply package is especially beneficial for the customer as the gas meter is delivered ready assembled and complete with straight pipe sets (SPS), whereas the differential pressure transducer mounted on the EK270 is pre­connected to the pressure test points on the straight pipe sections upstream and downstream of the gas meter (Fig. 3).

SummarySuccessful sales of metering systems SG­EK and volume conversion devices EK270 in the Russian Federation is a spec­tacular example of the effective coopera­tion of Elster GmbH and ELSTER Gaselec­tronica. This success is based upon the development of smart, high­quality devices for gas metering, the commitment of our design engineers, the flexible approach to implementation of special functions called

for in the Russian market on the part of Elster GmbH, and upon high­quality Rus­sian production of metering instruments, intimate knowledge of the Russian market of gas metering equipment and the needs of gas suppliers and consumers on the part of ELSTER Gaselectronica. Devices developed and manufactured as result of such cooperation not only enable gas suppliers and customers to meter precisely the gas volume consumed, but also to address a number of important tasks: measuring the pressure drop across the gas meter, monitoring the ambient tem­perature, enabling billing on the basis of substitute values for gas consumption, etc.

In cooperation with ELSTER Gaselectronica, Elster GmbH is developing even more new products with additional functions as needed by gas suppliers and consumers in the Russian Federation.

Dmitry Gusev gusev@gaselectro.nnov.ru

Fig. 3: SG-EK system with fitted differential pressure transdu-cer and straight pipe set (SPS) ready assembled

Fig. 4: Turnkey station produced by ElSTER Gaselectronica with SG-EK system, gas filter FG and gas meter BK G2,5

14 EVENTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Anniversary – 165 years of Elster:

Today we are writing a little bit of history

Johannes Siegmar Elster founded the Elster Gasapparate company in Berlin on 1st October 1848, which initially produced glass lanterns. The first gas meters were built in 1878. The foundation stone was thus laid for Elster as a leading international manufacturer of measuring and control equipment for natural gas.

The very interesting and extensive history of the first 150 years is available for refer­ence as a special edition (www.elster­instromet.com/en/history.html). I would therefore like to concentrate on the sub­sequent years in the gas sector.

The company merged with the Instromet Group in 2005, which extended the prod­uct range to include the ultrasonic gas meter (Q.Sonic) and the gas chromato­graphs (EnCal), besides the well­known products – turbine gas meters (SM­RI) and rotary gas meters (IRM). The international orientation was extended further and this

factor was reflected not only in the many branches, but also in our daily work. Discussions have become meetings now; the telephone or video conferences are held in English. To be frank, it is more a kind of Germish…

Business development in the last 15 years has been characterized by increasing internationalisation, with the result that Elster has been able to participate in building the gas economy in the emerging markets of the world. Another driving force, most of all in Europe, is liberaliza­tion and the energy transition which

demand new measurement solutions and business models like data security, bio­gas, hydrogen and gas quality manage­ment in gas utilization.

From the perspective of development and production, the commissioning and sub­sequent approval of the high­pressure air test rig in Mainz­Kastel in 2006 was a milestone. It enabled us to test the meters much more effectively at increased pres­sure.

Among others, the turbine gas meters of the TRZ2 series were developed here to achieve technically high standards.

Diaphragm gas meter around 1900

2006: the new high-pressure test rig (air) in Mainz-Kastel

EVENTS 15 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Important products of the last 15 years

Industrial gas meters1999 Market launch of Absolute ENCODER

C1 for the electronic transfer of origi­nal absolute meter readings

2003 Industrial diaphragm gas meters of the BK­G40 – G100 series with multi­measuring unit

2004 ENCODER index S1 for industrial gas meters

2006 TRZ2 with innovative flow straightener (available from 2010 in AFG version made of aluminium)

2009 SM­RI 2 (first bi­directional turbine gas meter with MID approval)

2010 TurbinScope® (diagnostic device for Elster turbine gas meters in ongoing operation)

2011 Automatic oil lubrication system for turbine gas meters up to ­25°C

2012 RABO rotary gas meter

Gas pressure regulators1997 Development of the compact

two­stage gas pressure regulator M2R 25 (for max. 5 bar)

2003 High­pressure gas regulator series MR PN10 and integrated excess flow valves for low and medium pressure regulators

2004 Take­over of production of high­pressure gas regulators of the AFV series in PED version by Mainz­Kastel

2006 Introduction of the two­stage gas pressure regulator M2R 75

2007 Relocation of regulator production from Jeavons/UK to Mainz­Kastel

2010 Production of the one millionth M2R

2011 High­pressure gas regulator MR HP20 DN50

2012 High­pressure gas regulator MR HP20 DN80/DN100

1997: M2R 25

2012: RABO

Elster developed the world’s first horizontal turbine gas meter (1936)

Main factory in Mainz around 1900

2004: BK-G40

16 EVENTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Electronics1999 Data logger DL240 with replaceable

communications module and approval as peak­load display device

2000 Volume conversion device EK260 with integrated event­based data logger and approval as peak­load display device

2001 Volume conversion device EK260 with ENCODER interface

2002 Data logger DL220 with integrated

GSM modem for data communica­tion in battery mode

2004 First customer project for the trans­mission of billing data via the GPRS communications network

2006 Data logger DL210 with ENCODER interface, integrated GSM/GPRS modem and power supply unit

2008 First volume conversion device with MID approval

2010 C&I Gas software package for com­mercial and industrial customers, new meter data management soft­ware on the basis of the EIServer from EnergyICT

2011 Complete solution – “AGR 155/08” customer project in Italy: daily provi­sion of billing data from more than 10,000 gas metering stations with an availability of more than 98%; includes the delivery and installation of measuring and communications technology including customer ser­vice and data service provision

2012 Volume conversion device EK280 (successor to EK260) with integrated GSM/GPRS modem and power supply unit, DLMS/COSEM communi­cation as well as extended volume conversion functions and options for system monitoring

Flowcomputer2000 Launch of gas­net Z0, volume

conversion device Z1

2001 Product presentation of flow computer gas­net F1

2002 Presentation of station control unit gas­net M1

2006 Second generation of series

2009 First DSfG signature gateway gas­net M1n+

2010 DSfG­GPRS router gas­net D2n

2006: EnCal 3000

2008: EK260 with MID approval

2002: gas-net M1

EVENTS 17 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Gas quality analysis1998 Foundation of the new business

area “Gas quality analysis” at Elster at the Dortmund site: development of alternative measuring methods

2003 Market launch and PTB approval of the correlative gas analyser gas­lab Q1

2005 Consolidation with the portfolio of Instromet (process gas chromato­graph (PGC) EnCal 2000)

2006 Market launch of PGC EnCal 3000

from 2006 Continuous development of analytical applications on the basis of the EnCal 3000 platform: biogas, sulphur, odorants, hydrocarbon dewpoint, hydrogen, …

2011 Extended PGC platform EnCal 3000 Quad with up to four GC modules

2011 Acquisition of the Hamburg­based company SLS Microtechnology GmbH to extend the technology portfolio. Integration of a complete GC with column switching in the Eurocard format.

Residential measurement2005 Market launch of Absolute ENCODER

for diaphragm gas meters 2010 Extension of the mechanical temper­

ature compensation (TC) to the entire series of diaphragm gas meters up to BK­G100

2013 Production of themis electronic index for Smart Metering applications begins

We hope we shall be able to shape the coming years together by remaining innovative and by accommodating your needs.

Michael Franz michael.franz@elster.com

2010: BK-G100 with S1 index and data logger Dl210

2013: BK-G4 with electronic index themisalpha

2011: Micro gaschromatograph on printed circuit board

18 SERVICE Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Elster 1 – 2 – 3

Happy Birthday, Electronics helpdesk

For ten years now, our central electronics helpdesk for volume conversion devices, data loggers and retrieval systems, located in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, has been available to you. That’s a reason to celebrate, isn’t it?

One or the other of you will still remember how it was before the central helpdesk was available. If you had a technical problem, you called various specialists on their individual telephone number. If you were out of luck, no­one was currently available.

Since 1 October 2003, such situations have been a thing of the past. Ever since, there has been someone available within office hours on “ELSTER 1­2­3” to provide you with support for any problem – from A for alarm value to Z for zero shut­off.

We keep up with the timesAt the time, there were several indicators that we needed to set up a central elec­tronics helpdesk. We wanted to achieve better availability of contacts for you on the one hand, and, on the other hand, we

Right at the start, we documented the questions in an Excel spreadsheet. Later we rolled out the “Support Tracking” ticket system developed by Elster. The first real ticket in the Support Tracking database is ticket No. 10 dated 23 October 2003 and it was created at ten past eleven in the morning. After maintenance work in the station, the caller was no longer able to reach his DL240 by modem. We were able to quickly help him with this.

By late 2003, we already had over 400 tickets which we had dealt with. The figure has risen to over 30,000 tickets today, whereby briefly answering a question taking less than one minute is recorded as a ticket only if it is important for the purposes of quality statistics. Today as then, it was and is our claim to assist you briskly and comprehensively – preferably first time. We actually can already answer over 75% of questions during the first telephone call.

considered it important to better under­stand where there are difficulties operat­ing the system components because the equipment had long been performing more than just measurement and meter­ing processes. The equipment also offered more and more additional func­tions and interfaces. Remote data transfer which was increasingly being used result­ed in more stringent challenges to those in charge of metering points on site. At the time, questions were mainly about basic matters relating to set­up of the equip­ment, remote data transfer components and the day­to­day “battle” with analogue PBX connections which had been provid­ed by the end customer. Today, the help­desk operators frequently have to deal with questions on the various communi­cations options, such as setting up the infrastructures for IP communication in cellular networks.

German Wohlrab at one of the helpdesk work stations

Support Tracking:: the electronics helpdesk ticket system

SERVICE 19 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

information on consignments, product configurations and more extensive analyt­ical functions.

Come and visit the Support area on Elster’s website and see for yourself. Besides general contact information and forms for simpler repair handling, it also provides you with tools such as Teamviewer which allows you to connect your PC directly with an operator at the helpdesk via a secure Internet connection.

Directly next to it, we provide you with a data­exchange portal for executable files or large quantities of data which are fre­quently too large to be sent by e­mail.

In addition to this, we have been offering you an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) area for some time now. This allows you to gain “offline” access to helpful informa­tion on current questions. Simply pop in sometime: http://www.elster­instromet.com/en/support_electronics.html

Good things can only keep getting betterBesides the Electronics helpline in Mainz­Kastel, Germany, many of you will certainly also be familiar with the helpdesk for flow computers and gas quality analyzers in Dortmund, Germany. There as well, you can reach a team of highly qualified col­leagues who will endeavour to answer your questions. We are currently network­ing these specialists even more closely and look forward to being able to offer you an even more comprehensive service soon. Look forward to it as well and make use of the support because we want you to feel at home with our products and solutions.

Rainer Sesterheim rainer.sesterheim@elster.com

For this, we have set up a team now com­prising seven specialists at the Mainz­Kastel site, Germany. They have all stud­ied engineering or have been trained as technicians and have several years of servicing, project management and train­ing experience. They head seminars at Elster or individual training courses direct­ly on site on your premises. With this wide range of tasks, we achieve a situation in which our specialists not only know your questions and problems in theory and from the telephone but are also familiar with them from practical situations on site and from direct, personal contact with you.

This is not a matter of course – as you might know not every company provides a high level support like we do. So we may also be a bit proud of it!

And if, at some time or other, a problem cannot be solved directly, it is only a few steps to our Development Department or the Production Department. This always allows us to very quickly access the latest

The EAS team, from left to right: Robert lieblich, Otmar Hees, Marc Solms, German Wohlrab, Rainer Sesterheim, Ralf Dries, Thorsten Crezelius.

Customer statements show us that we are on the right track!

“We have never had a problem which we couldn’t solve quickly with the support provided by the helpdesk.That’s also one of the reasons why we like using Elster equipment. … Hello to all helpdesk staff at Elster GmbH and thanks very much for the great teamwork.”

“The helpdesk solves problems quik­kly and precisely and if, from time to time, there was too big a problem, we got feedback from the helpdesk within a very short time on how to solve the problem. Carry on the good work. …”

“We are very satisfied with Elster GAS’s technical support. Competent staff, willing to help, always find a good, quick solution. …Many others could follow the example of your support. Thanks for the good teamwork.”

20 PRODUCTS Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

From waste to fuelThe waste treatment company SYDEME has chosen to take advantage of the syn­ergies which exist between two types of energy recovery from biogas produced by the recycling of waste: the generation of electricity and heat (cogeneration) and the production of biomethane to be inject­ed into the grid. The Syndicate had been waiting for the regulatory legal texts allowing “double energy recovery” to be published so that it could benefit from the feed­in tariffs and begin operation of its production plant.

The site is located in Forbach and has been designed to inject a minimum of 50 Nm3/h of biomethane into the grid, i.e. approximately 4 GWh p.a. This represents the annual consumption of around 800 low­energy homes (based on a consump­tion of 50 kWh/m² p.a. with an average

surface area per home of 100 m²). SYDEME is planning to gradually increase the flow rate in order to subsequently inject 100 Nm3/h. At the connection point of the Méthavalor site and the public distribution

grid, there is a public CNG and biogas­based CNG fuelling station which supplies private individuals, SYDEME’s fleet of 34 gas­powered vehicles (ranging from utility vehicles to heavy goods vehicles of

44 tonnes) as well as the 6 buses operat­ed by the urban transport agency of the conurbation community “Forbach Porte de France”.

THT analysis verifies stabile odorizationThe grid injection system supplied by Elster is a container­based solution that contains a metering package comprising a fiscal flow metering system, including an EK220 volume conversion device, the EnCal 3000 Biogas chromatograph and a second EnCal 3000 gas chromatograph for analyzing the THT (odorant) concentra­tion. Based on the gas quality, the gas is either accepted or rejected for grid access.

Elster realizes GrDF’s (Gaz Reseau Distribution France) first biomethane connection. Since the announcement of feed-in tariffs for biomethane in France, Elster has been working on a grid injection package that meets the requirements of the French market. With the EnCal 3000 gas chromatograph as the heart of the system, Elster has won the tender for supplying grid injection systems to GrDF. The first project has now been successfully commissioned and biogas supplier SYDEME has been injecting biogas into the grid since 17 May 2013.

Biogas

Successful biomethane injection in France

Catherine Martin Fournier (GrDF) on the cooperation between Elster and GrDF:

“This project is a first for both GrDF and Elster who have worked together hand in hand. The upcoming projects involving the injection of biomethane into the GrDF grids will make use of an injection system identical to the one purchased by GrDF from Elster and installed at the Méthavalor site. This initial project has greatly mobilized both GrDF (the national teams just as much as the regional ones) and Elster since it was essential to take advantage of this first experience as a basis for the smooth running of future projects. Between 17 May and 30 June, 380 MWh were injected with an average flow rate of 32 Nm3/h.

A few minor difficulties still need to be resolved (and will be very shortly), but since 17 May 2013, the injection plant has been working very satisfactorily.

GrDF and Elster are very pleased that such strong cooperation and an excellent relationship have been established during this project and look forward to this continuing in the future.”

GROUP 21 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Besides the metering package, the system’s main function is to reduce the pressure, control the access to the grid, odorize the gas and transmit the measurement data via GrDF’s telemetry system.

While in many EU countries, the odorant is only checked via spot measurements, it is continuously measured in the Elster system. The EnCal 3000 THT analysis accurately measures the odorant concen­tration before the gas enters the grid. This ensures that the odorant level is always within specification. Even though the injected volume at the Forbach site is re latively low (around 50 Nm3/h) the THT concentration has proven to be very sta­

ble! The value does not vary more than between 23 and 28 mg/Nm3 during nor­mal operation.

Backed by the positive example of the plant in Forbach, Elster is now working on various new projects in France and the United Kingdom. With our expertise in the area of gas metering and the experience in grid injection we have gained over the past 4 years, we are confident that we can offer you a solution that suits your needs.

If you are involved in biomethane grid injection and would like more information, please contact us or join us on a site visit!

Please contact Addy Baksteen, should you have any further questions.

Addy Baksteen addy.baksteen@elster.com

Thomas Kujadt, Graduate Industrial Engineer (BA), 50

Thomas Kujadt joined the G. Krom­schröder AG company in Osnabrück, Germany, in the Key Account Heating Department in October 1988. It was referred to as Key Account Sales at the time. This was where the first tentative attempts were undertaken to sell compact gas appliances to forced draught burner OEMs. Subsequently, he was responsible for planning and marketing functions.

In 1993, he switched to the Hüppe Form Sonnenschutzsysteme GmbH in Olden­burg, Germany. There he gathered expe­rience as Senior Product Manager for sunshading and daylight­guidance sys­tems and as Head of Exports.

In 2003, Thomas Kujadt returned to Kromschröder and started as Market Manager for Western Europe in the Pro­cess Heat Division.

In 2006, he became Head of Marketing and Sales, Process Heat.

Now as then, process heat still has the lion’s share in the Elster Kromschröder Gas Utilization Division.

Since 2008, he has been responsible for Sales and Marketing, Gas Utilization, which includes heating heat. Since 2013, he has also been Head of the Marketing Communication Division for Elster Gas.

Thomas Kujadt is convinced that Elster is in a good position for the future in the gas sector. Elster operates under the umbrella of a strong brand whose good image must be cultivated and extended world­wide. In a technical, demanding industry, the best way of doing this is with good products, solutions and systems expertise. Having knowledge of new, technical chal­lenges and the related regulations is also essential.

His family takes up a major part of his leisure time.

E­mail: thomas.kujadt@elster.com

Under new management …

… Thomas Kujadt, Head of Marketing Communication, Gas

22 GROUP Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Ulrich Engelmann, Graduate Engineer (University of Applied Science), 48 Director Product Management Elster Gas Utilization, Gas Metering Europe & International

Ulrich Engelmann studied electrical engi­neering after passing his industrial busi­ness management assistant examination. In 1991, he joined Kromschröder within the framework of a diaphragm gas meter installation quality assurance project group, backed by the Federal Research Ministry. He went on to implement a test bench with critical nozzles for official certi­fication testing and, in 1995, he switched to the Sales Division, Gas Utilization/Pro­cess Heat. His diverse tasks included trade­fair organization, strategic planning, structuring planning tools, roll­out of SAP­R3 in Sales and market launch of various, new product families. Since 1999, he has been Product Manager for Industrial Gas Utilization. This sector covers fittings, fail­safe electronics and industrial burners. He set up product management for the individual Product Divisions and was, himself, responsible for the Electronics Division.

Joint product management for Gas Meter­ing and Gas Utilization now guarantees close cooperation between both Divisions so that they can learn from each other and utilize possible synergy effects. Even though both market segments differ as regards customer structures and technol­ogies, both of course follow the general driving factors of the gas market.

There are many interactions, particularly as regards regenerative energies. Differ­ing gas qualities lead to a situation in which combustion processes in the domestic, commercial and industrial sector need to be optimized in ongoing fashion.

With its two brands, Instromet und Krom­schröder, Elster is in an optimum position to offer all­round solutions. The Training and Seminars Division which is affiliated to Product Management also supports the expertise in the distributed sales organization network, besides imparting knowledge.

The Product Manager is the entrepreneur for his or her own products. For this, it is important to take and coordinate all mea­sures to make available a high­perfor­mance and coordinated product portfolio to the market. The starting point for this is a profound understanding of the market and implementing customer requirements in innovative technology. Elster has adopt­ed the approach of system integration so as to offer customers the best advantages in the system solution. The technically sophisticated products necessitate an extensive understanding of the system environment by the sales organization and optimizing the products in line with customer requirements. This is where Ulrich Engelmann sees his special chal­lenges.

His private life focuses on his family, friends and home. As far as sports are concerned, you will either find him jogging or, in the winter, skiing.

E­mail: ulrich.engelmann@elster.com

Under new management …

… Ulrich Engelmann, Head of Product Management

GROUP 23 Elster-Instromet Profiles 2/2013

Faces of Elster:

Heinrich Bertke – a pilot leaves the ship

Heinrich Bertke started work at Elster in the Development Department of G. Kromschröder AG on 1 August 1972. After 41 years of service, he has therefore experienced one­quarter of Elster’s 165­year history and played a major role in shaping the company. He has also expe­rienced all the changes of ownership. He has been Manager of Gas Meter Development since 1976. The products developed under his management include the magnetic coupling, the fire­resistant diaphragm gas meters, the suc­cessful BK series of our diaphragm gas meters, the retrofittable pulse generators, the mechanical temperature compensa­tion system and of course the pioneering modular concepts of our current Smart Meters. Heinrich Bertke has also held the position of Testing Laboratory Manager at Kromschröder since 2001.

Outside the Elster Group, he has not only become well known for his publications and lectures but also due to his extensive work on standards bodies, committees and organizations. For example, he has been Chairman of the Technical Committee of German Gas Meter Manufacturers since 1987 and initially Deputy Chairman and then Chairman of the Technical Com­mission of European Gas Meter Manufac­turers since 1997. In particular, he has gained a reputation for his work on stan­dards committees for gas meters as a result of his ability to achieve consensus. He will continue to work for Elster in this respect for a little time yet.

When somebody with this amount of experience retires, we always ask who will take over the rudder to steer us through the choppy waters left by his departure. Fortunately, at Elster we do not just have old hands and newcomers.

His successor as Development Manager will be Guido Temme who will also take over his duties on the DVGW NA Gas Stan­dardization Committee and in the “Future of Domestic Gas Metering” working com­mittee. Michael Franz is Development Manager for rotary and turbine gas meters and is already involved in the CEN/TC237 working groups for rotary and turbine gas meters and on various DVGW bodies. He will also take over the Chair of the figawa “Gas Metering” Technical Committee from Heinrich Bertke.

Together, Guido Temme and Michael Franz also have forty years of gas experi­ence with Elster. When the pilot leaves, in other words, his responsibilities will pass into safe hands. We are sure you will join us in wishing Heinrich Bertke all the best for the future and his two successors lots of luck with their work inside and outside Elster.

Peter Hampel peter.hampel@elster.com

We have often said goodbye to colleagues who retire and then intro-duced their successors. Generally, however, it has been colleagues from the Sales Department who were the “face of Elster” for many of you. Heinrich Bertke is another of these “faces of Elster” although he has never worked in Sales.

… and two experienced pilots take over: Michael Franz (left) and Guido Temme (right)

Heinrich Bertke – a pilot leaves the ship …

Vital Connections

Elster GmbHSteinern Strasse 19–2155252 Mainz-Kastel, Germanywww.elster-instromet.com