Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Northumbrian and Welsh Water have begun a trial to upgrade existing water meters to a smart network using wireless 0G technology that works underground.
The two companies are working with internet of things (IoT) providers B4T to trial its Jellyfish devices, which clip onto water meters and relay data via the 0G network in locations that cannot connect to WiFi, 4G or 5G.
Data from the devices is analysed by B4T’s software to identify leaks that may cause damage to customers’ properties. The company said initial results suggest 96 per cent reliability of readings from the devices in underground chambers.
The Jellyfish device, which connects over Sigfox 0G low-power network, offers an alternative to installing smart meters, particularly in hard to connect areas. Welsh Water has installed the devices as part of a programme to cut customer-side leaks. Northumbrian helped to fund trials in Cardiff and Tywyn, north Wales prior to embarking on its own smart metering programme.
Gary Adams, head of smart programme at Northumbrian, said the collaboration gave both companies a chance to better understand the benefits of innovative smart metering solutions and proactive leak identification.
“Working closely together we can learn quickly and reduce the need to replicate costly large-scale trials so we can deliver value to our customers,” Adams said.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.