Getting Smarter with Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Dave HughesAmerican Water

Bentley Be ConferenceMay 19, 2010

AMI for Water Utilities Best Practices for Selection, Acquisition & Implementation

Largest investor-owned water services provider in North America Serves 16.2 million people Operations in 32 states and Canada 7,000 employees308 individual service areas71,500 km (45,000 miles) of distribution mains

American WaterAmerican Water

Utility Only

O&M Only

Both

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

AMI Terminology and How AMI Works

AMI and Improving Water System Operations

AMI and Improving Hydraulic Models

AMI Fostering a Fit Between Operations & Models

AMR/AMI TerminologyAMR/AMI Terminology AMR - automated process that collects readings from customers’

meters without directly accessing the meter and can export reads to a remote central location

AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) automated process that collects readings and other data, typically without going to the meter site, often two way communication to facilitate data transfer

Ancillary devices– Actuators - using the AMI communication network to operate

equipment (e.g., customer shut-off valves)

– Sensors – using AMI communication to process information from monitors other than meters (e.g., leak detectors)

Intelligent meters – Reading devices with internal data storage/analysis capabilities to provide information/alerts to supersede or supplement readings

Interval Reads - providing multiple period water usage data at predetermined or remotely configurable time intervals with individual collection transmissions

Meter

Repeater ComLink 1

ComLink 2

Hardware

ApplicationSoftware

CIS Host Controller

First Hop (“LAN”) Backhaul (“WAN”)

Receiver

Encoder

Transponder

MIUDataColl.Unit

OtherSystems

Advanced Metering InfrastructureAdvanced Metering Infrastructure

Other SensorEncoder

TransponderIntelligent

CPU, Memory

Meter DataManagement

System(Database)

Actuator

Mesh Network Mesh Network Architecture and SpeedArchitecture and Speed

MIU DCU

MIU

MIU

MIUMIU

DCU

DCU

DCU

Collector/GatewayMIU

MIU

MIU MIU

MIU

MIU

MIUMIU

MIUMIU

MIU

MIU

“Modified” or “partial” Mesh Network

“Full” Mesh Network

Improving Water System OperationsImproving Water System Operations Meter selection and accuracy

Non Revenue Water Evaluation (DMA)

System Leak Monitoring

System Backflow

Water Quality Monitoring

Fixed Network Radio AMI RequirementsFixed Network Radio AMI Requirements

Two way communication with MIU

Synchronized time

Programmable MIU units

Battery Power!

Smart Mesh Photo courtesyItron

Photo courtesyAclara

Photos courtesySensus

Meter Age/Registration ChangeMeter Age/Registration Change• How long should meters be left in service?• Most meters last a long time, only a few fail• Function of: meter cost, installation cost, cost of water (&

WW), volume passed, inflation rates, discount rate, rate of accuracy decline

(Data courtesy Kansas City Water Services Dept.)

y = -0.2654x + 101.15

0

20

40

60

80

100

0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00Yrs in Service

Accu

racy

Large Meter Replacement Doubled Total Large Meter Replacement Doubled Total RegistrationRegistration

Data courtesy San Diego Water Department0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43

Pre-Exchange Actual ADC

Post-Exchange ADC

AMI Can Support AMI Can Support Large Meter ManagementLarge Meter Management

Right-sizing analysis

Right-typing analysis Flow profile (depends on time

interval)

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

3/2/2

009

3/3/2

009

3/4/2

009

3/5/2

009

3/6/2

009

3/7/2

009

3/8/2

009

3/9/2

009

3/10/

2009

3/11/

2009

3/12/

2009

3/13/

2009

low f low

high flow

District Metering District Metering Areas of the system receive

water supply from limited, metered mains. When metered use (overnight flow) is unusually high, that DMA is targeted for a leak survey.

– Districts allow leak survey teams Districts allow leak survey teams to focus on problem areas.to focus on problem areas.

– District metering promotes step District metering promotes step testing to find leaks. testing to find leaks.

– District metering quantifies leak District metering quantifies leak for water audit analysis.for water audit analysis.

AMI Can Help Track and Identify AMI Can Help Track and Identify Non-Revenue WaterNon-Revenue Water

Controllable NRW constant level suggests source is leakage

Metered Usage

NRW

Supply to system

Variable NRW level suggests source is meter error or theft

Metered Usage

NRWSupply to system

Sensors Expand AMI ApplicabilitySensors Expand AMI Applicability

Distribution system leak detection Conservation Backflow detection Automatic shutoff Pressure sensors

Using AMI for Continuous Using AMI for Continuous Acoustic Monitoring (CAM)Acoustic Monitoring (CAM) Acoustic monitoring interfaces to AMI

systems to provide routine leak detection– FCS Permalog attaches to valve nut in street,

transmits separately from meters– Gutermann Zone Scan units attach to valve

nut, transmitter housed in valve box. Developing remote correlation capability.

– Itron MLOG units attach to service line Find small leaks sooner, when they are

easier to repair and can be scheduled Reduce crews or improve service level

MLOG Acoustic Monitor MLOG Acoustic Monitor

Installed near a water meter. Easily strapped to service pipe or

meter Maintenance-free, now able to

survive meter pit environment. Battery Life – Radio MLOG 8 years

and Fixed Network 15 years. Fixed Network AMR sends data to

host on website daily. Mobile Units, a separate controller unit acquires up to 11 days of history.

Permalog Acoustic MonitorPermalog Acoustic Monitor Installed on operating nut of water valves.

Magnetic bottom secures unit Newer model more robust for valve box

environment Battery Life 5–10 years Unit sends leak or no leak condition

through to network, Datamatic will send data

For Mobile Units, a separate controller unit acquires data

StarZoneScan Acoustic MonitorStarZoneScan Acoustic Monitor Installed on operating nut of

water valves. Magnetic bottom secures unit

Connects directly to AMR Transmitter in valve box

Battery Life – 10 years

Fixed Network AMR sends condition through network

Zone Scans to be used to correlate leaks.

Fixed Network & CAM Fixed Network & CAM

Schematic courtesy of Hexagram

Water Meter

American Water Computer

Water Meter

Water Meter

MLOG

CAMSOFTWARE

Billing Meter reads

Meter Reads, Meter Status

Acoustic (leak) Data

Billing, and recent Meter reads

Selected Reports

Selected Meter reads

Meter Transmitter Units

Data Collector Units

Acoustic (leak) Data

The Meter/AMR/AMI/Acoustic The Meter/AMR/AMI/Acoustic Monitoring Relationship MazeMonitoring Relationship Maze

Meters Network AMI Acoustic Monitors

Itron MLOG

Permalog

Gutermann

Echologics

Itron

Datamatic

Aclara

Neptune

Sensus

Elster

Badger

Mueller Systems

Metron Farnier

KP Electronics

Itron 2nd generation

Metrotech

Neptune

Sensus

Elster

Badger

Actaris

Mueller Systems

Using Acoustic Monitors

Deploy units about every block. Leaks are detected usually up to 400 feet (some systems 1000 feet). Leak sound does dissipate over distance especially where pipe materials changes from metal to plastic and back.

User detection skills improve with experience. In time, history and knowledge of background noise sources helps discern between leak and other noise.

Pinpointing leaks normally accomplished by one technician and leak noise correlator in between 30-90 minutes.

Correlators can be compromised by daytime noise. Mixed results from overnight correlation units.

How Continuous Acoustic How Continuous Acoustic Monitoring Works Monitoring Works Monitor “listens” and identifies the minimum

sound in intervals in early morning hours.

The single nightly data point broken down into frequencies associated with leak noise and shows the leak noise frequencies .

The monitor reports on highest differential between lowest noise displayed and highest overnight sound.

The software interprets changes and magnitude of sounds to rate the location as a possible source of a leak.

Continuous Leak Survey Data

There is a typical brief initial noise peak as leaking pipe smoothes and moves soil away from pipe

The software displays a history showing the noise level at each day.

Find the Leak that Never SurfacesFind the Leak that Never Surfaces

This leak was destined to flow to the nearby river or into the storm sewer above without coming to the surface for years. Found by acoustic monitoring

Initial Results 2005 487 MLOG leak detecting sensors

were installed in Connellsville in Spring 2005.

From June to December 2005 46 leaks were reported in Connellsville (18 in 2003, 12 in 2004).

24 of the 46 leaks were identified by acoustic monitors and repaired in advance of surfacing. Another 10 were MLOG identified before surfacing but appeared before repair made. The remaining 12 surfaced and were repaired.

With the reduction of blowoff flow and leaks, flow is consistently down about 255,000-285,000 gpd in 2006.

NRW Volume Connellsville, 2006

0

20

40

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100

120

140

1/1/2006 4/1/2006 7/1/2006 10/1/2006

annu

al fl

ow (g

pm) o

f det

ecte

d le

aks

NRW volume 12 month average

Piloting Results Connellsville 2005-2008Piloting Results Connellsville 2005-2008 200 leaks occurred during period of which

154 detectable. Undetectable leaks largely due to sudden breaks.

Of the 154 leaks, 64 (42%) were detected and repaired before surfacing and 31 (20%) were detected acoustically but surfaced before repairs were made.

The major cause for not detecting overnight leaks (38%) is believed to be the use of plastic and repair clamps for ferrous pipe main repairs that lessen leak noise transmission.

Evaluating the Benefits/Costs of Evaluating the Benefits/Costs of AMI-Based CAMAMI-Based CAM

Significant leakage and non-revenue water?– Minimal payback if there are few leaks to find

What kind of leakage?– Acoustic monitoring best at finding hidden leakage

How much are leaks costing?– Beneficial if your water is expensive and/or scarce.

Staff/crews available to pinpoint, repair promptly?MOBILE AMR/MLOG Reduction

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

0.0%

3.0%

6.0%

9.0%

12.0%

15.0%

18.0%

21.0%

24.0%

27.0%

30.0%

33.0%

36.0%

39.0%

42.0%

45.0%

48.0%

NRW change from MOBILE AMR

NRW change from FIXED NETWORK AMR

INCREMENTALINCREMENTAL Benefit/Cost of AMI Benefit/Cost of AMI Acoustic Leak DetectionAcoustic Leak Detection

Direct Benefits Direct CostsImproved reduction in water lossesReduction in leak detection staffing and equipment

Sensors, installationAdditional leak detection crewsOngoing sensor repair, replacementComputer, software

Indirect Benefits Indirect Costs

Improved reduction in risk/cost of major failuresUnit repairs less costlyExtended life of mainsBetter perception of system reliabilityBetter understanding of replacement needs

Additional cost of digging up mainsAdditional cost of main and service repairs

X

Backflow AlertsBackflow Alerts Water running backwards is a sign

of poor operation, emergency or improper customer activity

Intelligent meters are capturing backflow alarms internally

The WaterRF project demonstrated the feasibility of direct alarms to alert operators of system problems

“Backflow alerts” also provided indication of meter issue.

Sample dataSample data

Field Test Results – PA systemField Test Results – PA system Installed 60 backflow meters

out of 5000 meters – locations strategically selected

Found 13 instances of backflow in one year from six locations

– 24 instances, 11 locations in 2 years

– Some patterns from main breaks

– Several locations suggest pump surge issues and warrant further investigation

Other Monitoring applicationsOther Monitoring applications

Continuous Water Pressure Monitoring

– Useful method to calibrate hydraulic model or spot system anomalies

– Unexpected low pressure during high flow periods suggests unexpected demand (theft?) or poor hydraulic conditions (low C factors or closed valves)

– Unexpected low pressure during all flow conditions suggests leakage.

– Could place on hydrants and equip with alarms to spot authorized and unauthorized hydrant use

Other Monitoring applicationsOther Monitoring applications Water Temperature Monitoring

– Changes in temperature (associated with surface water supplies in temperate climates) may be a trigger for water main failures

– Abnormal changes in temperature may indicate higher flow into an area or water quality issue.

Early warning could avoid or mitigate impact of such attacks

Water Quality Monitoring and Water Quality Monitoring and Drinking Water SecurityDrinking Water Security

Monitoring as a precaution to threats – Intentional:

• Physical - (i.e. arson, cyber-attack, sabotage, terrorism, vandalism)

• Psychological - (i.e. hoaxes, incitement of panic, misinformation)

– Unintentional:

• Intrinsic system failure- Computer and system component failures

• Cascading effect failures- Source water contamination from chemical spills, power loss

Deploying Water Quality MonitorsDeploying Water Quality Monitors

What parameters to monitor

Types of monitors

- Contaminant detection, communications & reliability

On-line data management (alarms)

Selecting sites for sensor deployment

Cost estimates for sensor deployment

Multi-parameter Water Quality Monitors – Multi-parameter Water Quality Monitors – Probe SystemsProbe Systems

Sensor ReliabilitySensor Reliability

0102030405060708090

100

Temp(212,846)

SC(212,778)

Chlorine(110,135)

pH(212,846)

ORP(150,468)

DO(132,308)

Turbidity(132,308)

Sensor (number of measurements)

Per

cent

Adj

ustm

ent Uncorrected

Corrected (5%-25%)Deleted (>25%)

Making Sense of SensorsMaking Sense of Sensors

Determining anomalies (alarms) from WQ data: Need to identify baseline water quality information &

understand sensitivity

Have sound sensor QC to determine performance issues

Ascertain impact of environmental or operational parameters on baseline

Define degree of deviations from baseline that would constitute an alarm

Sensor Location

Cost of Units forces optimization

Contaminant concentration Injection site Duration (or rate) of injection Exposure

All non-zero demand nodes assumed to be equally vulnerable to introduction of the biological or chemical contaminants. Time delay from detection to implementation of a mitigation response assumed to be zero.

Practical Locations Optimal Locations

Actuators: Remote Shutoff ValvesActuators: Remote Shutoff Valves

Can be operated by fixed network and mobile AMI

Open, closed and “trickle” position

Self-exercising Issues with installation,

regulations, cost.

Shutoff Valve Economics

High cost to install throughout a system

– Units are expensive– Risk of vandalism – Cost to adjust plumbing– Control units have cost– Where is the payback

Potentially useful for property transfers, vacation properties, collections, multiple feed customers.

TRANSCEIVER

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WATER METER WATER VALVE

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TRANSCEIVER

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WATER METER WATER VALVEWATER METER WATER VALVE

AMI Can Improve Hydraulic ModelsAMI Can Improve Hydraulic Models Demand analysis

Pressure Monitoring

AMI Fostering the Merger of Model & Ops AMI Fostering the Merger of Model & Ops System Anamolies

Hydraulic Models and DemandHydraulic Models and Demand

Customer accounts can be assigned by code to nodes in model and hourly interval data can be derived by AMI and incorporated

– Average day

– Peak day

– Variations for temperature/season

Use in a neighborhood can be assigned for projecting growth

Pressure Monitoring Pressure Monitoring

System pressures can be gathered from field monitors to find anomalies.

– Low pressure regardless of demand suggests continuous flow (leakage)

– Low pressure that follows high demand suggests closed valves, lower C valves in pipes

– Sudden drops in pressures at some sites (like hydrants may help identify illegal water use

Ultimate ModelingUltimate Modeling

Pressure and use can follow predictable patterns depending on day of week, temperature and recent precipitation.

Imagine dialing into model these parameters and obtaining predicted levels of pressure and flow and comparing to field data.

Sudden deviations from model can be used to track leaks, maintenance activities (flushing) and other unusual events.

Impacts of new mains, pump changes can be evaluated and model recalibrated.

Questions

Dave Hughes

david.hughes@amwater.com

856 346 8320

AMR/AMI Technology Risk ManagementAMR/AMI Technology Risk Management Technical obsolescence

Lack of standards

Lack of interoperability

Application and third party software

Battery life

Excessive failure rates; system failures, product recalls

Radio frequency incursion

Programming errors