Smart metering offers an efficient solution for wastage in water transmission and distribution through leakage in pipes. It is estimated that 45,500 litres of water is wasted annually at the household level in India. The application of this digital technology can help in addressing this serious issue.
Customers of the water metering market can be divided into four categories – utility companies, end users, developers and gated communities. They all face different issues related to meters ranging from their availability, accuracy and lifespan to their capex requirements. The use of smart meters can help these consumers address their respective challenges related to water wastage.
Detailed design and working of ultrasonic water meters
An ultrasonic meter is simple and convenient to use. It has a flow pipe with an integrator on the top, which serves as the intelligence unit. The pipe consists of small reflectors that facilitate the measurement of water. Water flows through a pipe where ultrasonic sensors are placed at optimal positions based on the measurement requirement of transducers, which are devices that send ultrasonic sounds through and against the water flow.
Further, a digital signal processing (DSP) microprocessing chip is placed within the meters to measure the flow of water in a precise manner. A DSP is a specific technique that also has applications in medical and technical instruments where the accuracy of data is of paramount importance. In the case of water meters, a DSP is used to improve the accuracy of measurements, which approximately reaches 99.9 per cent. In addition, the absence of moving and mechanical electromagnetic parts to measure the flow of water increases the lifespan of the meter.
Other crucial components of these water meters are radio frequency and antennae, which are also used to measure and intercept the signal strength of Wi-Fi, cell phones, towers and other instruments. Wireless technologies and their diverse applications can be used here for effective communication. A printed circuit board acts as a medium to connect components within the circuit and includes a display for viewing meter readings. Integrated with these components, such smart meters work robustly over a long time span of 10 to 15 years.
Technology and data-driven insights
Without accuracy, data analysis and technology-driven information sharing would lose their significance. The use of inaccurate data cannot bring about the desired results. Thus, it is important to obtain precise and reliable measurements from smart meters. After achieving accuracy in measurements, the next step is the provision of consumption data through data analytics. This requires a specific ecosystem consisting of the meter and application of the latest technologies, which aid in facilitating data accessibility on consumers’ devices.
Additionally, the battery capacity of the meters is also important. Currently, the battery being utilised is the 19-edge battery, and the battery management system is based on the number of data points required for the water meter. For instance, if the data sends two messages per day, say, regarding information on water consumption, the battery life is approximately 10-12 years of consumption. For more complicated functions such as enabling users to control the flow of water, the battery life reduces to a period of 8 to 10 years.
In the present day, there are a plethora of continuously evolving technological advancements being utilised by consumers, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile communications and 5G. This creates a prerequisite for smart water meters to be technically equipped to adapt to evolving technologies. For instance, in Europe, smart meters equipped with advanced technologies allow users to interact and give commands to water meters. To replicate this implementation on a large scale in India, a basic requirement is the availability of the necessary infrastructure to support these technologies.
Existing communication-based infrastructure and technologies
The construction of new and complex mobile communication infrastructure for smart ultrasonic water meters is tedious and time-consuming. However, the existing infrastructure can be put to significant use to enable their efficient use. These meters use different technologies, such as narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT), a wireless protocol that reduces the power consumption of connected devices, increases system capacity and enhances bandwidth efficiency while providing a long battery life. Similarly, if the consumer wants a private network for their usage, extensive utilisation of long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) can be implemented. LoRaWAN is a wireless modulation technique that transmits small data over long distances. There have been live installations of around 50,000 water meters built by integrating these technologies in Hyderabad. At present, there is a high demand for technologies integrated with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN.
Moreover, smart water meters are being installed in Indian cities using the same infrastructure as gas and electricity meters. This emphasises the fact that smart water meters do not require a separate network and infrastructure, and all these devices can be integrated under one umbrella of the network.
Challenges and potential solutions
There are several challenges associated with the use of smart water meters. These include inaccuracies in measurements and billing, high maintenance costs, lifespan of batteries, high capital expenditure and the lack of convenient payment options. Possible solutions to these problems include demand-driven approaches, such as real-time monitoring, accurate knowledge of water consumption, user-friendly sharing of information using data analytics, and smart customisation using advanced technologies such as the IoT.
A few common structural challenge with water meters is the presence of a thick top slab, due to which it is difficult to capture readings. In addition, the necessity of fixing meters at depths of about 6 feet due to water pressure issues makes them susceptible to waterlogging and the intrusion of subsoil water into the chambers. Solutions include the usage of the IP68 standard, which is designed with the highest level of dust protection and resistance to the ingress of water. As far as issues in signal interception and communication are concerned, an antenna is mounted on the meter, which can be placed in any convenient position without the risk of breakage, as it is designed to withstand significant pressure.
Further, there are challenges related to regulations, as India currently lacks specific regulations for metering technologies. The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, under the Ministry of Communications, is the only regulatory body responsible for this domain. It is majorly responsible for issuing amateur radio licences, allotting frequency spectrum and monitoring spectrum usage.
In sum
Smart water meters have high utility and significant potential to help monitor water wastage and minimise it. Their uptake is critical to prevent further aggravation of the water crisis in the country. They can be conveniently placed either horizontally or vertically, depending on the availability of space, and can be customised according to the structure and requirements of buildings. Planning for the installation of the meters begins before the construction of buildings and houses. The key features of the ultrasonic water meter ecosystem include a long life, reverse water management and leakage surveillance. Moreover, smart metering has diverse applications and the potential to expand into related domains such asmetering evaluations in smart buildings. n
Based on remarks by Sameer Ahmed, Product Manager, Ripple Metering, at a recent India Infrastructure conference