In This Post:
Which water meters can be added with AMR/AMI?
What is the difference between AMI and AMR?
What are the benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)?
Who uses advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)?
Before the introduction of automatic meter reading (AMR), water utilities had to do everything manually. AMR brought the opportunity to use technology to reduce costs and improve productivity. Then came advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), where technology provided advances that water utility executives could hardly have imagined a decade ago.
So which makes more sense for water utilities, AMR or AMI?
AMR is a technology that reads water meter readings remotely, usually via radio or wired connections, and transmits meter data to a central system, reducing the need for manual meter readings. Clearly, AMR systems are more efficient than manual meter readings. However, they still rely on employees and cannot completely eliminate the common problems of non-revenue waste, leaks, and billing errors.
AMI is a more advanced system with two-way communication capabilities. It not only collects water meter readings automatically, but also monitors and remotely controls water meter valves in real time, identifies leaks, abnormal water use, and supports dynamic pricing and water use management.
3. Which water meters can be added with AMR/AMI?
AMR systems can usually be integrated with the following water meter types:
The AMI system is mainly suitable for more advanced water meters. In addition to mechanical water meters, smart water meters, ultrasonic water meters and prepaid water meters can all be integrated with the AMI system.
AMR and AMI systems usually use wired and wireless technologies to transmit water meter data to the system. AMR systems often use wired RS485 for one-way data transmission. AMI systems use more advanced wireless two-way communication technologies such as LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and GPRS to achieve two-way communication, real-time monitoring, and remote control.
4. What is the difference between AMI and AMR?
Automatic meter reading (AMR) technology enables accurate and timely meter reading. This is achieved by installing ERT modules on water meters. The AMR system allows meter readers to avoid entering customers' homes. This reduces human intervention and improves data timeliness.
However, many water companies have begun adopting AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure). AMI provides higher system reliability and operational efficiency than AMR. AMI can collect data through two-way communication. It can also remotely control equipment. This helps utility companies reduce labor input. It improves overall operational efficiency. This allows companies to focus more on other business areas.
5. What are the benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)?
5.1 Leak detection and reduction of water waste: AMI monitors water use data in real time. It can quickly identify abnormal water use or leakage problems. This helps water companies repair issues in a timely manner. It reduces water waste.
5.2 Enhanced security and system resilience: AMI provides remote control and monitoring functions. It can respond quickly in emergencies to ensure water supply safety. The system has strong resilience. It can respond to natural disasters or emergencies to maintain water supply continuity.
5.3 Digital water ERP system to improve the operational efficiency of water companies:
S.H.Meters is developing a digital water ERP system. This system aims to integrate various functions of water management. These functions include water quality monitoring, water intake management, and water production control. It also includes leakage control monitoring, metering management, and meter management.
The system will collect and analyze data in real time. It will improve operational efficiency. It will optimize resource allocation. The system will promote the development of smart water services.
Main functions of digital water management system:
- Water quality: Real-time collection of raw water quality, water level, water intake and other parameters to provide guarantee for reasonable selection and allocation of water plant water production process;
- Water intake: Real-time collection of main parameters such as water pump operation conditions and energy consumption to provide analysis basis for energy saving and consumption reduction;
- Water production: By building a water plant SCADA system, you can control the dosing process parameters in real time, understand the flow, pressure, water quality, energy consumption and other conditions;
- Leakage control: Through pipe network zoning metering and leakage monitoring, you can understand the operation status of the water supply network in real time - where the water goes, whether the pressure meets the needs of users, whether the water quality of the pipe network is deteriorating, etc.;
- Metering: By installing household remote water meters, you can timely understand the user's water use status; the selection of household remote water meters should be carried out through field surveys and combined with the actual local communication network;
- Meter management: By building a meter management system, you can implement full life cycle management of water meters.
6. Who uses advanced metering infrastructure (AMI)?
AMI is suitable for large cities or complex water systems. It is used in situations that require real-time monitoring and data analysis. In the water industry, governments, municipalities, and water companies usually use AMI. Large community development projects also use it.
These water companies improve operational efficiency by implementing AMI. They save costs in the process. AMI enables remote monitoring, leakage detection, and water use trend analysis. This helps improve the level of intelligence in water management. It also promotes sustainable development.
In short, AMR is cheaper, but provides fewer features and benefits. AMI is more expensive, but the features and benefits it provides are almost ultimate. For some utilities, especially small utilities with limited budgets, AMR may be all that is needed. For large utilities, AMI may be the best choice.