AUTOMATED METER READING SYSTEMS IT S POTENTIAL Chrispal

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

Summary Purpose of Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system What does an AMR system entail? University of Leicester's estate and It’s AMR system The use of AMR Maintenance of AMR Things to bear in mind when embarking on an AMR

The Purpose of AMR Eliminate manual meter read Better quality of data Help to understand energy and water usage profile Avoid energy and water wastage early Making it easier for legislative compliance Helps to justify energy efficiency and water savings projects Assists in bill validation and re-charges

Typical Meter Reading Installation Manual meter reading system Monthly or weekly meter reads using clip board or handheld devices Manually enter the readings into the energy management software. Automated meter reading system Half-Hourly meter reads via a suitable method Meter reads transferred automatically into a database The energy management software uses this database for further analysis

AMR Data Collection Methods Data collection methods Low radio powered Network (TCP/IP) SMS GMS Hardwire Data Logger Transmitter

Typical Meters Connected AMR Typical meters Data loggers Electricity meters/sub-meters Flow meters Gas meters/submeters Heat meters Portable meters Steam meters

AMR Software Web based Client hosted PC based Intranet based

The University of Leicester The University has an extensive estate in the City of Leicester, Oadby and Glenfield comprising of: 5 main sites 291 buildings occupying an area of 290, 455 m 2 48 hectares of grounds Number 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/ etc Electricity - Do you know your MOP (Meter Operator)? Siemens / EDF / EON / British Gas / etc Of course, you need to know your suppliers Meter location is important (plant room/boiler house/ pavement/ under kitchen sink/cleaner cupboard/etc)

AMR Tender Uo. L has been through 2 AMR tenders Tender 1 (2007) – Non -Residential Buildings Tender 2 (2011) – Residential Buildings Selection criteria Cost Software user-friendliness Data collection method Installation experience Ongoing maintenance for hardware and software Staffing levels

University of Leicester AMR System University of Leicester – Data Bird AMR System

University of Leicester AMR System University of Leicester – Digital Energy AMR System

AMR at University of Leicester Number of fiscal meters Electricity – 127 (non Half-Hourly) and 23 (Half-Hourly) Gas – 112 Water – 94 Number of sub-meters – 321 approx Number of meters on Data Bird system – 461 Number 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 projects Charles Wilson Building Voltage Optimisation Project Before : Energy consumption – 1, 415, 098 k. Wh Energy cost - £ 112 K After : Total project cost - £ 51 K Savings predicted – 11% Savings per year projected - £ 11, 846 Payback – 4. 4 years CO 2 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) ü 26 kwh saved over the switch off period. ü 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 System Dedicated personnel resource depending on size of the system Set alarms and monitor alarms on a daily basis It’s good practice to take 1 or 2 manual meter reads per year to reconcile the automated reads Site tree structure AMR providers to provide familiar reports

Finally …. Things to bear in mind Make sure you have valid business case for the preferred AMR system Ensure you choose an appropriate data collecting system that works for your institution Speak to your utility suppliers, MOP and MAM Choose a user-friendly software Small contingency pot for unknown meters Ensure you have a maintenance contract for hardware and software, which suits your institution

Any Questions? Chrispal Anand Carbon and Energy manager 0116 252 2308 cpa 4@le. ac. uk