Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) modem / telemetry examples
System wide monitoring using Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) for meters and sub-meters for energy management in utility applications - An example of how Comtech communication products can be applied.
With rising energy costs there is an increased need to identify utility usage and waste. Take steps in reducing consumption through a remote management Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) solution.
Automatic Meter Reading Background
The
traditional utility meter displays energy usage as an accumulation of
counts presented to a display, which is used to calculate the monthly
bill. It has applications within the electricity, gas and water
utility industries for domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
Sub metering is often used within a building, retail or industrial facility
where it is desirable to measure power consumption for specific equipment,
locations or sub-level accounts.
Business challenge
With rising energy costs and environmental pressures through the Climate Change Levy, there is a growing need to reduce power consumption. Reducing losses and waste, and adopting power efficient products and technology can achieve this utilising remote management.
Predicting energy usage remains a key issue in an industry where downtime is unacceptable
However, since power losses are not easy to identify, it is difficult to determine the key culprits whether they are human users or power-hungry devices. In many cases it is difficult to store energy e.g. electricity, which must be generated to fulfill immediate demand. Predicting usage remains a key issue in an industry where downtime is unacceptable, which is made difficult by slow access to the remote meter readings.
Scalable Automatic Meter Reading Solutions
Automatic Meter Reading or "smart metering" can be as simple as a central application that polls the remote utility meter using protocols such as IEC 1107. Pulse outputs from the meter can be monitored externally as part of wider monitoring solution where reducing energy usage is key. A wider smart metering monitoring system determines usage over time, identifies peaks, compares sites and correlates use with offending devices and people.
Communication solution example - Automatic Meter Reading
Comtech offer communication solutions from simple modems through to off-the-shelf telemetry systems suited to many markets. Utility experts (OEMs and VARs) can system integrate our communication products with their AMR and utility "know how" to create an Automatic Meter Reading specific solution for end users.
| Solution | Description Example | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Modem | A GSM, GPRS or PSTN modem attached to the meter, which is polled by the central AMR billing system using a serial Automatic Meter Reading protocol e.g. IEC 1107. | |
| I/O modem | In addition to simple modem features, the status of other equipment such as compressors can be monitored e.g. temperature and on/off status. This offers simple I/O monitoring and SMS alarm alerting functions to complement the AMR function at system level. | |
| TCP/IP modem | Beyond traditional automatic meter reading modem functionality, the Internet can be used to deliver data to 3rd party applications using E-mail, FTP and Internet protocols. Energy management forms part of a wider monitoring soluyion such as HVAC, where pump & fan control is migrating to Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology. | |
| End-to-End M2M telemetry system | An end-to-end monitoring system that gathers AMR power and usage data from one or more devices at remote sites e.g. chilled water pumping. Provides data collection, alarm processing & notification, with report generation for comparing equipment & sites. | µWEAVE |
Automatic Meter Reading Related Links
Telemetry Products
Benefits influencing the business case for Automatic Meter Reading adoption
- Energy usage costs to be apportioned to location, utility equipment or sub-level accounts
- Identification of power hungry equipment and in-efficient usage practises through comparisons of peaks and trends across sites and equipment.
- AMR Smart utility metering provides a business case for capital investment to facilitate reduced losses and costs.
- Energy management provides feedback on power saving measures where equipment usage translates into lost and saved cash and facilitates continual improvements for seasonal variations
- Energy management provides a foundation for negotiation with utility suppliers to influence cost reductions at improved tariff rates.
- Automatic Meter Reading enables a pay-per-use business model, where predicted monthly cost savings pay for equipment lease or sell costs.
- Trending of energy usage enables optimising of power generation and buying profiles using AMR.
Further information
Find out more about Comtech, our M2M products, solutions and technology to understand how we can help automate your business.
