Trends for 2023 & Forward

Why the fast trend to deploying Smart Water Technology and Systems in 2023 and beyond?

Smart Water Systems require Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Meter Data Management (MDM). AMI generally refers to a distribution-wide network providing communications from the meters to the MDM. AMI is the data delivery mechanism.

With introduction of public wireless carriers and multi-purpose networks into the AMI field, the utilization of AMI is expanded to all utilities regardless of meter population or geographic size.

A meter data management system is a sophisticated data repository. In addition to large volume data storage, it also serves as a data hub for large scale integration.

MDM systems offer flexibility by utilizing powerful cloud-based systems Cloudhosted MDMprovides a high level of scalability, security and interface capability.

Over the last decade, budgetary concerns and staffing issues have required utilities to do more with less. Efficiency is essential. Building out collectors & repeaters with a fixed base system can add to the upfront project cost as well as the long-term maintenance costs associated with single-purpose networks. No need to add “Network Administrator” to a Utility Director’s business cards. Minnesota utilities can benefit enormously by employing strategic B2B partnerships with the nation’s largest cellular networks carriers (e.g., Verizon, AT&T etc.), which allows the utility to take advantage of the vast coverage of wireless providers and their expertise of network maintenance.

“Twenty years ago, before AMI, it used to be about which meter technology to deploy. Now the trend is all about the gain of specific data that can be derived from these meters and directed straight to the office (or phone) in an easy to navigate fashion. There is Immediate leak detection, daily consumption text alerts, monthly budgeting and overall utility water loss just to name a few types of information that can be derived by algorithmically parsing this data.” states Kyle Moore, Regional Manager for Metron Farnier.

For many years, Minnesota water conservation professionals have needed the tools that high resolution AMI systems can provide. No longer is AMI thought to be an all or nothing scenario. Current technology offers solutions that are both reliable and completely scalable to fit a municipality’s time frame and budget. Full system deployment may be the trend but it’s not a necessity. Water service providers can now incorporate cellular read meters in concert with their existing radio drive by meter reading program allowing for “strategic deployment ” Utilities can insert a handful of units for high value commercial accounts or helping their residential customers effectively manage & configure their own water consumption. The wireless network is already in place ready to be utilized.

The capability to examine high resolution data logging combined with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) allows systems to develop consumption & time-based algorithms which can learn water usage patterns of household fixtures, appliances or irrigation systems f or example.

In having this type of data readily available, Minnesota utilities could limit service calls while still providing transparent and accurate information to customers. Future distribution system modeling would also benefit from this type of comprehensive data set

Water is a highly valued commodity and input costs show no signs of reversing their upward movement. We all should want to take an interest in how we use it. For Minnesota water utilities needing resolution to constant rereads, accurate m onthly estimations, billi ng errors and d emonstrable data for dispute resolution, re liabl e cellular AMI technology is providing the perfect solution for utilities of all demographic and geographic sizes.