Click here to enlarge imageTraditional AMR sytems provide utilities with the ability to collect monthly billing data from meters remotely and automatically via several different communications media including wireless, power line carrier, telephone, etc. These systems offer utilities lowered meter reading costs, elimination of customer premise intrusions, increased read accuracy and reduced cost through automation.
Industrial Metering
In the industrial meter market, many organizations are beginning to look to AMI solutions for their meter data collection and management. Primary reasons behind this transition include the need for a more open communications system, improved reliability and to help better manage water resources. Industrial organizations using AMI solutions will be able to leverage analytic technology for two–way communication to each meter. This allows for multiple–channel interval data collection and takes into account an integrated mass market demand response. In short, AMI solutions provide a built–in communication pathway enabling an extensive analytic functionality to allow industries to better track, manage and optimize their consumption of resources.
International Perspectives
Water utilities throughout the world encounter challenges ranging from deregulation issues to the need to build a “culture of conservation”. Utilities in markets such as Australia and Europe recognize the value in improved functionality with interval data collection, primarily in the benefits of increased knowledge on the part of the utility as well as improved customer service efforts. In these areas, conservation issues are critical as water utilities must manage concerns such as high prices, as well as constraints to resource supplies and capacity. These challenges provide water utilities with the opportunity to look to the next wave of meter data collection and management, in the form of AMI. From a demographic perspective, international utilities are constantly faced with the need to consider population usage and trends, changing regulatory issues, energy provider changes and challenges that require a more open system.
Conclusion
Today’s water utility industry is becoming more and more global. With open systems like AMI, the global water market must consider these solutions as they consider implementing new ways of meter data collection and management.
Author’s Note:
Marcel Regnier earned his degree from France’s Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (L’ENSAM). Beginning in 1981, he held various positions with Schlumberger including in research and development, as well as operations, for residential and industrial water metering sites in Macon and Haguenau, France. Since 2001, he’s been the managing director of the Water & Heat Business Line for Actaris, which Spokane, Washington, USA–based Itron acquired in April 2007. Contact: www.actaris.com and www.itron.com