KJKP “Toplane-Sarajevo” d.o.o. is a public utility company responsible for the production, distribution, and delivery of thermal energy in the Sarajevo Canton.  KJKP “Toplane-Sarajevo” d.o.o.  is the largest heating district sistem in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with over 54,000 customer premises.

In accordance with the Regulation on the Production and Distribution of Thermal Energy of Sarajevo Canton, service providers are obliged to implement a system that specifies the timing, methods for collecting, processing, and storing metering data. Additionally, the KJKP “Toplane-Sarajevo” Development Strategy for 2025–2030 outlines the improvement of the remote metering system to align with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED, Article 9) and to enable automated, transparent consumption measurement.

To support these objectives, initiatives have been launched to develop a modern system for the remote collection, processing, and storage of metering data. This system leverages LoRaWAN technology, centralized databases, and an integrated IoT-based approach, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, data reliability, and transparency in energy consumption monitoring.

In the period before modernization (instalation an modern system for the remote collection), there was no unified, interoperable system for collecting data from meters. Various communication protocols and technologies were used, including outdated radio systems and proprietary formats that were not mutually compatible. As a result, reliable real-time consumption monitoring was not possible, nor was timely detection of faults, operational irregularities, or energy losses in the system. This situation directly limited the ability to optimize the heating network and reduced overall energy management efficiency.

To support meter reading, the company developed the mobile application “Mobile aplication” for collecting thermal energy data via wM-Bus modules. In previous years, various 868 MHz OMS antennas were used to communicate with meters, but testing the iU891A-XL Wireless M-Bus USB Adapter 868 MHz revealed that it provided the greatest range. In addition to its superior coverage, the adapter is compact, easy to use in the field, connects directly via USB, and does not hinder operators while walking to collect data. Currently, 3,620 meters are read through the system using this application and USB adapter.

The walk-by reading process required substantial field effort, as operators had to visit buildings and perform readings up to ten days per month. Data was then manually entered and synchronized into databases, increasing the likelihood of errors and slowing processing. Due to delays in data collection, billing often could not be completed on time, complicating both organizational workflows and communication with customers.

To achieve full digitalization of meter readings, KJKP “Toplane-Sarajevo” installed 31 LoRaWAN gateways across the city of Sarajevo in 2025, ensuring continuous coverage of the urban area with LoRaWAN signal.

In parallel, the following were implemented and developed:
•    LoRaWAN server environment (ChirpStack) for network and application management
•    IoT application for processing, visualizing, and storing metering data

This laid a complete infrastructural foundation for a future system of automated remote readings without the need for on-site personnel.

Economic Challenges

Complete modernization of the system by replacing existing meters or installing LoRaWAN modules on every meter would have represented a significant financial burden. Such an approach was not economically justified, especially considering the number of installed devices and the diversity of technologies. At the same time, maintaining wired M-Bus networks required ongoing servicing and equipment replacement, which increased the company’s long-term operational costs. Therefore, it was necessary to find a solution that enabled advanced digitalization of meter readings while minimizing additional investments in the existing metering infrastructure (using wM-Bus Range Extenders).

Following the establishment of the LoRaWAN network and the ChirpStack server infrastructure, KJKP “Toplane-Sarajevo” initiated a phased implementation of an automated meter reading system using wM-Bus Range Extenders. The solution aimed to enable remote readings of existing meters without replacing them or installing individual LoRaWAN modules in each device.

During 2025, 400 Range Extenders were installed in residential buildings with single-pipe heating systems. The extenders were placed in common entrance areas, most often near the ceiling.