Conference Offers Water Utility Technology Learning, Networking
DistribuTECH 2013 will take place January 29-31 in San Diego, Calif., with a conference program and exhibits covering metering and customer service, automation and control systems, renewables integration, power delivery equipment and water utility technology.
The Water Track at DistribuTECH will explore many of the technologies being considered by water utilities across the country. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect to learn.
Guide to the Smart Water Network Lifecycle
Tuesday, January 29, 1:00 PM
In this panel presentation, four experienced consultants will take attendees through best practices for each step in the lifecycle of implementing a smart water network, from establishing a business case through final roll-out.
Water and Power: Leveraging Common Technologies
Tuesday, January 29, 3:00 PM
In this session, three cities outline how their water utilities were able to utilize existing infrastructure when integrating smart grid technologies, enabling them to reduce customization, increase reliability and save money.
Making the Case for Smart Water Metering
Wednesday, January 30, 9:30 AM
Water utilities across the nation are reaping the benefits of advanced metering — but how did they do it? The three presenters in this session will share their experiences with making a compelling business case for adopting AMI.
Staying Connected: Networking Technologies That Work
Wednesday, January 30, 2:30 PM
Today’s water utilities depend on tools like SCADA, GIS, and mobile networking to keep their operations running smoothly. Key to the success of these technologies is streamlined communication. The three presenters in this session will discuss how they utilized WAN, Wi-Fi, and modern HMI designs to improve operations.
Other conference tracks at DistribuTECH include: Advanced Metering, Customer Operations, Demand Response/Energy Efficiency, Enterprise Information and Asset Management, Mobile and GEO Solutions, and SCADA and Network Infrastructure, to name just a few.
As part of the event’s ongoing efforts to increase the presence of water in its program, a number of networking opportunities have been created specifically for water, including a water-only networking reception. Join peers and foster new acquaintances in an informal setting on the show floor Wednesday, January 30, from 4 to 5 pm.
On Wednesday, January 30, DistribuTECH will offer an opportunity for water professionals to gather at an informal Breakfast Roundtable to discuss current trends affecting the water industry beyond just AMR. Topics to be explored include privatization, innovative project financing, and possible future consolidation. What is the future of the water industry? How will small / rural water utilities representing the bulk of the America’s 60,000 water systems deal with escalating regulation, tightening water standards, and growing reliance on new technologies? In an inviting forum we’ll debate possible answers to these questions.
If your water utility is looking for ways to improve operations and increase efficiency through technology, DistribuTECH 2013 is an event you don’t want to miss. For more information or to register, visit www.DistribuTECH.com/water.
Two-way AMI
The Mi.Net® Mueller Infrastructure Network for Utilities provides a true two-way advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. The system enables utilities to improve operational efficiencies and customer service by fully automating the meter reading-to-billing process and linking meters, distribution sites and control devices in a single wireless mesh communication network.
Mueller Systems
www.muellersystems.com
Metering analytics
Badger Meter has developed an Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) solution specifically designed for the unique needs of today’s water utilities. The system combines the two-way fixed network technology of Orion® SE with the analytics-based ReadCenter® software solution. ReadCenter Analytics and Analytics Mobile can collect and organize raw meter data into easy-to-use information with this powerful management tool.
Badger Meter
www.badgermeter.com
AMR system
The 3G Mobile™ system from Master Meter offers fixed-network capabilities in a driveby AMR system. The system’s vehicle mounted transceivers support Bluetooth® connectivity with both ruggedized laptops, handheld computers or cell phones for real time data transfer. Two-way radio communication with each 3G metered endpoint allows utilities to reprogram, reconfigure, and download minute-by-minute precise 3G DataLogs, all without leaving the vehicle.
Master Meter
www.mastermeter.com
Smart grid
The Sensus FlexNet was designed and built specifically for electric, gas and water utility smart grid applications. Working with smart meters, the system provides utilities a dedicated and secure two-way communications highway over which to transmit and receive customer usage data – the hallmark of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solutions.
Sensus
www.sensus.com
Meter reading services
Tru-Check provides contract meter reading for a wide variety of utility companies, including water. Whether large or small, rural or metropolitan, the company serves 50 electric, water, and gas utilities located in 10 states (KY, TN, OH, NC, SC, GA, AL, CO, IN, VA). The company has the experience and knowledge to handle the most unusual and challenging situations reading all types of meters.
Tru-Check Inc.
www.tru-check.com
AMI systems
Itron AMI solutions, designed upon the company’s ChoiceConnect architecture, feature data collection technologies that increase operational efficiencies, enhance customer engagement and ensure system integrity. Built on its ERT-based 900 MHz platform and leveraging 100G, 100W and high-powered Centron devices, the company’s mobile, fixed network and enhanced monitoring systems provide users with an array of flexible meter reading options.
Itron Inc.
www.itron.com
Management systems
CSC’s Utilities Division serves water, gas and electric utilities with 35 years of industry experience. The company tackles industry challenges including: data growth, public safety, compliance, critical infrastructure protection, supply chain risk, cybersecurity, aging workforce and infrastructure. The company can help utilities institute unified intelligent desktop capabilities, provide consolidated/dynamic workflow management across multiple platforms, gain 360° customer visibility, and centralize metrics/reporting across the enterprise through a balance of business process change, technology enhancement, and outsourcing.
CSC Utilities
www.csc.com/utilities
Mobile workforce automation
Clevest provides software for mobile workforce automation and smart grid operations exclusively for utilities. Over 125 utilities worldwide have chosen the company to transform their field operations by harnessing the power of its software and knowledge of mobile computing and utility operations. Clevest’s platform powers a product suite that includes mobile workforce management, automatic vehicle location, meter reading, asset investment planning and a patent-pending graphical configuration tool, as well as the only complete solution for smart grid operations and maintenance activities.
Clevest
www.clevest.com
SCADA systems
CG Automation is one of the oldest U.S. based supplier of SCADA systems for Electric, Transit and Water/Wastewater utilities. The company has developed SCADA equipment over four decades, with each generation built on experience gained from the previous. CG Automation’s current SCADA offering, TDMS-PLUS (Total Distribution Management System), focuses on the monitoring and control of electric, water, and gas distribution systems.
CG Automation
www.cgautomationusa.com
Meter recycling
Utility Services of the Americas provides customized collection and transport services, and 100% recycling of all electro-mechanical, solid state hydro meters, water, gas, and parking meters generated from the Smart energy deployment program. Meter recycling services can be customized to meet specific requirements.
Utility Services of the Americas
www.utilityrecyclers.com
Operational software
CGI offers a portfolio of operational software solutions that span the horizontal workflow between customers, control rooms and crews. This interoperability brings benefits to a global client base rooted in the electric, gas and water utility markets. Increased operational efficiencies and reduction of costs are just some of the benefits of using the company’s solutions to integrate systems, customers and crews and consolidate their information as part of smart grid operations.
CGI Utility Solutions and Services
www.cgi.com/en/utilities
Mesh network
Datamatic’s Mosaic Firefly provides walk-by, mobile and mesh network reading options, full two-way communications and support for advanced AMI functionality in a single unit. Mosaic was designed from the ground up to meet the unique requirements of Automatic Meter Reading. The system supports migration through walk-by, mobile, and mesh network collection methods using the same Firefly MIU.
Datamatic LTD.
www.datamatic.com
Leak detection
The Star ZoneScan solution from Aclara combines the fixed Star Network system with leak-detection technology from Gutermann International. The system checks and analyzes noise characteristics on water lines at regularly scheduled intervals. Acoustic samples from each ZoneScan unit are collected by an Aclara meter transmitter, located in the pit lid, and then transferred to the utility via the network’s 450- to 470-MHz radio-frequency signal.
Aclara®
www.aclara.com
Metering systems
Elster Water manufactures and distributes metering products to the global utility, sub-metering and industrial markets. For the utility market, Elster AMCO Water Metering provides a full line of meters that meet or exceed applicable AWWA specifications. As the world’s largest multi-utility metering company, the Elster Group is also a leading provider of both automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems and solutions for electricity, gas and water.
Elster Water
www.elsteramcowater.com
Heat exchangers
Drop in air-to-air Heat Exchangers remove waste heat from sealed electrical panels and enclosures using Noren heat pipe technology. The company’s design dissipates heat from sensitive electronic components without exposing them to the harsh, dirty environment outside the cabinet. Drop in models extend into the panel from the side, top, front or back, but minimize the external footprint.
Noren Products
www.norenproducts.com
