AUTOMATED METER READING SYSTEMS & IT'S POTENTIALChrispal Anand - Carbon and Energy Manager

SummaryPurpose of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systemWhat does an AMR system entail?University of Leicester's estate and Its AMR systemThe use of AMR Maintenance of AMRThings to bear in mind when embarking on an AMR

The Purpose of AMREliminate manual meter readBetter quality of dataHelp to understand energy and water usage profile Avoid energy and water wastage earlyMaking it easier for legislative complianceHelps to justify energy efficiency and water savings projectsAssists in bill validation and re-charges

Typical Meter Reading InstallationMonthly or weekly meter reads using clip board or handheld devicesManually enter the readings into the energy management software.Half-Hourly meter reads via a suitable methodMeter reads transferred automatically into a databaseThe energy management software uses this database for further analysis Manual meter reading systemAutomated meter reading system

Energy Metering Technology Ltd.

Site DATA BIRDCentralReceiver/ Data Logger

N

M

M

M

M

DBT1

M

M

M

M

DBT1

M

M

M

M

DBT1

M

M

M

M

ETC

Boiler House

Office

Factory

Annexe

EMTs Server

Customers Host Running DYNAMAT

Internet Comms

M

M

M

M

Elec Meter

Heat Meter

Gas Meter

Water Meter

T

Outside Temp

GPRS Comms

AMR Data Collection MethodsData collection methodsLow radio poweredNetwork (TCP/IP)SMSGMSHardwireData LoggerTransmitter

Typical Meters Connected AMRTypical metersData loggersElectricity meters/sub-metersFlow metersGas meters/sub-metersHeat metersPortable metersSteam metersWater meters

AMR SoftwareWeb basedClient hostedPC basedIntranet based

The University of LeicesterThe University has an extensiveestate in the City of Leicester, Oadby and Glenfield comprising of:5 main sites 291 buildings occupying an area of 290,455 m2 48 hectares of groundsNumber of employees 3,803 (2010-11)Number of registered students 22,784 (2010-11)

What do you know about your meters?Gas - Do you know your MAM (Meter Asset Manager)?National Grid / Energy Asset / Smart Metering System / Exoteric / Off Stream/ etcElectricity - Do you know your MOP (Meter Operator)?Siemens / EDF / EON / British Gas / etcOf course, you need to know your suppliers Meter location is important (plant room/boiler house/ pavement/ under kitchen sink/cleaner cupboard/etc)

AMR TenderUoL has been through 2 AMR tendersTender 1 (2007) Non-Residential BuildingsTender 2 (2011) Residential BuildingsSelection criteriaCostSoftware user-friendlinessData collection methodInstallation experienceOngoing maintenance for hardware and softwareStaffing levels

University of Leicester AMR SystemUniversity of Leicester Data Bird AMR System

University of Leicester AMR SystemUniversity of Leicester Digital Energy AMR System

AMR at University of LeicesterNumber of fiscal metersElectricity 127 (non Half-Hourly) and 23 (Half-Hourly)Gas 112 Water 94Number of sub-meters 321 approxNumber of meters on Data Bird system 461Number of meters on Digital Energy system 216

The Use of AMR - Compliance- Legislative compliance: Energy data for Display Energy Certificate / Energy Performance Certificate / CRC & EU ETS data check

The Use of AMR - Projects- Business case energy efficiency projects- To prove energy saving projectsCharles Wilson Building -Voltage Optimisation Project Before :Energy consumption 1,415,098 kWh Energy cost - 112K

After :Total project cost - 51KSavings predicted 11%Savings per year projected - 11,846Payback 4.4 yearsCO2 savings 83.6 Tonnes pa

The Use of AMR Switch Off- To prove behavioural change projects- Example: Student Switch Off Project during Feb 2012 at Percy Gee (Students Union Building) 26kwh saved over the switch off period.

5% saving compared to previous Thursday (2/2/12).

The Use of AMR User Access- AMR access for environmental coordinators

The Use of AMR Billing & Re-charges- Set-up energy contractors within AMR software for re-charge purposes

Tips to Maintain AMR SystemDedicated personnel resource depending on size of the systemSet alarms and monitor alarms on a daily basisIts good practice to take 1 or 2 manual meter reads per year to reconcile the automated readsSite tree structureAMR providers to provide familiar reports

Finally . Things to bear in mindMake sure you have valid business case for the preferred AMR system Ensure you choose an appropriate data collecting system that works for your institutionSpeak to your utility suppliers, MOP and MAMChoose a user-friendly softwareSmall contingency pot for unknown metersEnsure you have a maintenance contract for hardware and software, which suits your institution

Any Questions?

Chrispal AnandCarbon and Energy manager0116 252 2308cpa4@le.ac.uk