Madrid, Spain --- (METERING.COM) --- December 4, 2012 - Gas Natural Fenosa has launched a new PRIME-based grid integration laboratory facility named LINTER, which was established to demonstrate the integration and interoperability of smart metering and smart grid technologies to be used within the Gas Natural Fenosa network.

Currently LINTER has over 300 PRIME meters from multiple PRIME certified manufacturers and is open to the smart metering community for interoperability and field simulation tests.

This new test and training facility, located in Madrid on the southern edge of the Manzanares River, can be visited by arrangement from other power utilities and interested companies to exchange experiences, discuss PRIME deployments and standards, and verify equipment interoperability with other certified equipment installed on site.

The PRIME standard is an open, license free, multi-vendor interoperable OFDM powerline communications system with deployments exceeding over one million PRIME meters worldwide utilizing solutions from numerous equipment suppliers.

LINTER boasts a primary substation, two dedicated secondary substations, a covered outdoor transformer station, and underground station all with the ability to run tests in parallel to simulate a real network. Training facilities for up to 200 people are available for professionals whose activities are related to smart grid projects and smart metering.

Because of the number of PRIME meters installed at LINTER from numerous different manufacturers, a wide range of performance, interoperability and integration tests and field simulations can be carried out on site. LINTER provides an environment where benchmark tests on new equipment can be carried out prior to field deployment, ensuring proper functionality and integration.

LINTER’s additional capability to create a microgrid simulation allows for installation of different network topologies, using attenuators and switches simulating real world loads and geographic conditions while variable load and input noise generators are available to create a wide range of test conditions. The laboratory tests do not guarantee operation in the field but allow true life simulations, which assist in detecting problems before mass deployment.