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AMI systems are critical in reducing non-revenue water wastage and safeguarding water resources.
Fremont, CA: The US department of Energy describes advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) as an integrated system of equipment, connectivity, and information management systems that enables utilities to gather consumer water usage data in real-time remotely. Water meters get read by AMI using radio-based technology, which removes the need for manual readings.
See Also: Business Process Management Services
Working of AMI
According to US EPA, AMI is composed of four main components: meters, meter interface units (MIUs), other sensors, and remotely controlled variables. Meters measure the flow to a customer connection, after which the MIU receives a hardwired signal from the meter, converts this signal to a flow value, stores the flow value, and wirelessly uploads the data to the information management system.
Other sensor types commonly get used in conjunction with these meters, like pressure, temperature, sound, and water quality monitors. The data gets received by the information management system, occasionally incorporated into the utility's SCADA system.
The information management system may switch off or on water service using the remotely controlled valves at a customer connection.
Types of Water Meters in AMI Applications
Smart Meters
Smart meters provide readings to utilities, which process, analyze, and disseminate the results to customers for invoicing energy feedback, and time-based prices.
Smart meters feature remote connect/disconnect, error detection, outage tracking, voltage monitoring, and bidirectional electricity metering.
Ultrasonic Meter
Ultrasonic flow meters use ultrasonic technology to determine the velocity of a fluid passing through a pipe. To estimate the flow rate, the transmitter evaluates signals from transmitted sound wave frequencies reflected off of gas bubbles or particles. The time difference among both upstream and downstream signals is measured using transit time technology.
Advantages of Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Increased utility operations, improved water conservation, leak detection, and enhanced security and resilience are advantages of advanced metering infrastructure.
Because AMI systems are scalable, utilities may deploy the system in phases based on specific budgets and requirements. In addition, AMI automates the procedures of meter reading, invoicing, and data collecting, making it a long-term option for utilities.
According to the experts, AMI initiatives go through various stages: initial investigation, feasibility assessment, procurement and contract negotiations, installation, operation and maintenance, and business process change.
AMI systems are generally expensive despite their effectiveness, but they are critical in minimizing non-revenue water wastage and safeguarding water resources.
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