tcon 2014 ziegler

8/11/2019 TCon 2014 Ziegler

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BEYOND THE METER:Expanding Traditional Data Collection

Methodology to Increase Revenue

Gary A. Ziegler, Itron

T-CON: Midwest Water & WastewaterTechnology Conference June 5, 2014

Water is a valuable resource.


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Clean water is vital to life.

Baseline ASSUMPTIONS:

Every utility has Non-revenue waterthat is higher (andmore expensive) than desired.

Many utilities have continued along a migration pathlaid out by their current meter vendor.

Most utilities strive for good customer service but mayfall short due to insufficient data in support.

Anyone looking into future automation has created orhas tried to develop a financial business casethatusually includes revenue gain from new water meters.


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TRADITIONAL DATA

COLLECTION

Direct Read

ROM, Touch, LCD

Walk-by, 1-way

Mobile, 1-way ( AMR )

Fixed Network, 1-way(AMI)

TRADITIONAL DATA

COLLECTION

MOBILE 1-way AMR

Vast improvement overdirect read, Touch or walk-

by: faster, safer, moreaccurate; less affected by theweather.

NETWORK, 1-way AMI

Great progress, but afew limitations


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Expanding Traditional DataCollection Methodology

Mobile 2-way (AMR)

Fixed Network 2-way

(AMI)

Hybrid solution

(combination of

AMR and AMI)

Ex: Todays Choices for Radios


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Ex: Todays Choices for Radios

So why AMR or AMI?

Improve efficiency of Customer Service

Ex: Resolve high bill complaints

Conservation -Detect metered leaks (NRW)

Revenue protectionTheft, Tampers, etc?

Create timely reports for usage, tampers,

leaks, reverse flow events, etc.


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So Whats New, Industry Trends?

True 2-wayTransceiver communication

Stored dataon board in module.

Low power & high power in a single product(Migration possible from AMR to AMI )

Advanced Leak Detection

Analytical Software w/ customer web portals

Telemetry devicesLeak sensors, RSO, etc

2-way Communication

On-demand or final reads may reduce(AMR) or eliminate (AMI) truck rolls.

Time synchronization supportsDistrict Metering and advanced leakdetection.

Ability to capture more data whennecessary to resolve customer issues.


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ExampleOn Demand Reads

On Demand

District Metering to identify NRW


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Stored Data at RF Module

Typically from 30 to 45 days of data

Daily (& hourly) usage data can mitigate

billing disputes

Interval data can promote trend analysis

Stored tampers and reverse flow eventscan be very powerful for management

ExampleHigh Bill Complaint

DID I USE THAT??


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Detected Leak!

YES YOU DID!

Dual Transmit Power levels

Low power for mobile data collection

High power for network operation

Create an affordable and timelymigration strategyat your own pace


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Advanced Leak Detection

Leak Detected Leak Fixed

Ex: Analytics for an Account Comparison


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The Future has Arrived!

Lets focus on 3 final things

1. Most, if not all AMR /AMI technologiesavailable today areuniversal

2. True two-way radiocommunication canfuture proof yourdecision today

3. Recommendations...


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RF Technologies are Universal

Encoder to RF module compatibility has

become less of an issue.

Both mechanical style and LCD versions ofencoders are available. Choose what is best

for your application.

Smart meters have an integrated encoder.

Ex: Mechanical style meters


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Ex: New Electronic Encoders

Ex: Smart Meters


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Future proof your decision today

using 2-way technology

Todays radio modules are able to store hourlydata, collected locally or remotely.

Radio transceivers are now designed for timesynchronization which supports districtmetering and conservation initiatives.

Installation placementbecomes critical forfuture migration flexibility.

Future Proof today for Telemetry

options tomorrow.


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RECOMMENDATIONS

Create a business case.

Get others involvedCustomer service, IT,Operations, Purchasing, Engineering andbuild a consensus on the best solution foryour needs. (AND their buy in!)

Ensure universal solutionto your system Determine your migration strategy, if any

RECOMMENDATIONS

Investigate AMR & AMI solutions and then

interview prospective vendors

Evaluate deployment options, including

turn-key using a reliable, licensed and bonded

installer

Get references to speak with.


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CONCLUSIONS

Advancedtechnologies are available today!

Powerful analytical softwaresupports theseadvanced technologies and the move to bestutility practices.

Deploying advanced AMR / AMI can

reduce NRW, improve customer serviceand increase revenues!

THANK YOU!

Questions? Contact Gary @ Itron

Book recommendations:

The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and

Turbulent Future of Water, by Charles

Fishman

The Future of Water, by Steve Maxwell

The Ripple Effect, Alex PrudHomme

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