Smart Meters

As regards network topology, if the network is split into DMAs the value obtained from smart meters is straighforward, given that it allows to use the night net flow instead of the night minimum flow, a much more accurate indicator. If there are not DMAs it gets harder to use. Having hourly data from smart meters enables the creation of distribution digital twins which, in conjunction with additional pressure measurements throughout the network, pave the way to many network management enhancements, either in loss management, energy optimisation, water quelity management, etc

According to my experience, NBIoT provides the best performance when the meter is located on the basement, even if it is in the -2nd or the -3rd floor. Cast iron covers definitely fade the signal, but it usually manages to get through the chamber walls, provided that they are not made in any metallic material. If the chamber gets flooded, I do not think that there is any difference in the type of communication used; in this case, what is essential is that the both the meter and the electronics are properly protected and do not get damaged when submerged.

GDPR compliance should guarantee data privacy. Nevertheless, sticking to cybersecurity best practises, related or not to GDPR, adds an extra layer of protection.

As regards GDPR, it is essential to state clearly how data is to be used. Providing the customers with their own data poses no problem, but any other treatent has to be established and communicated from the very beginning. It is usually enough to say that the information is going to be used to improve supply efficiency and demand management, due to the fact that the information is used in bulk for these purposes. Any other additional usage, such as subscription-based services that requiere specific data treatment on an individual basis, must be specifically approved by the customer.
To sum up, GDPR is no problem provided that it is taken into account from the very beginning, even before the technical solution has been outlined.

Dear all,

here are some of the questions coming from today's webinar:

1. What about GDPR legislation and frequent collection of meter data from smart water meters? Do you have a national law that specifically allows frequent collection of meter date, alarms or the like?

2. Can we have answer how to cope with privacy aspects for consumers?

3. Can you share experience of connectivity stability for smart water meters communicating with NB-IOT when they are located: 1) in basements , 2) in meter chambers outside but covered with cast iron covers, 3) when the water meter is (temporarily) submerged due to heavy rainfall (possible in old houses and/or outside metering chambers.

4. General question: Are your distribution pipes mainly laid out in a "tree structure" or a "circle-network structure" (like streets around blocks in a city centre)? How is this affecting using smart water metering in leakage search in DMAs? Our circle-network lay-out combined with height bassins sometimes gives us relatively complex equations on what actually goes in and out of the DMAs.

Webinar on smart metres on 25.06.24 at 13h