DAY 1 – 26 April 2023

ACHIEVING COST-COMPETITIVE SMART METERING PROGRAMS

09:00 Chair’s Opening Remarks

Chair: David Rubin, Senior Director of Product Management, Aclara Technologies

STRATEGIC BRIEFINGS ON SMART METERING INVESTMENT & ROI

Strategic Briefings From UK and International Water Utilities On What They Are Looking To Achieve Through Smart Metering Implementation​ and Justifying The Business Case For Investing In Smart Metering Programmes 

The benefit of smart metering and data analytics technologies is recognised by numerous private and public water utilities. However, everything has a price, and utilities must either generate a profit, deliver tangible value from their investment, or optimally distribute and conserve water as cost-effectively as possible. What do water utilities want to achieve by deploying smart metering and how can they do it cost-effectively?

One critical factor is the willingness of customers to pay for these additional services. Another concern is the risks and trade-offs that may arise if a utility loses revenue due to consumers being more conscious of their consumption and consuming less. How are considerations like these incorporated into a business case evaluation? Or does the urgent need to address climate change outweigh such commercial concerns?

Evaluating the business rationale for investing in smart metering technologies, including climate action, demand management, cost reduction and consumer leakage reduction. In addition to ancillary benefits such as consumer engagement, social and safety.

What are water companies looking to achieve?

How are water companies rationalising smart metering investment in the face of today's inflation and cost-of-living crisis?

09:10 Unlocking The Value From Smart Metering

In this talk, we examine the implementation of an action plan for an end-to-end smart metering programme and the lessons learned.

• Overview of smart meter deployment within Thames Water
• What we’ve learned about water consumption
• Overcoming challenges to achieve full-scale rollout 

Richard Channell, Head of Smart Metering Strategy, Thames Water

SMART METERING INNOVATION AS A CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY 

09:40 Roll Out Of Smart Metering And Smart Transformation Strategy At Northumbrian Water 

• Overview of the Smart Transformation Programme at Northumbrian Water
• Leading smart transformation through a customer lens
• The importance of trust, transparency and choice for customers - the results/lessons learned so far

Gary Adams, Head Of Smart Metering Programme, Northumbrian Water

JUSTIFICATION OF THE BUSINESS CASE FOR IMPLEMENTING INTELLIGENT METERING TECHNOLOGIES

10:10 Enhancing Smart Metering Data to Create Value-Added Services​ 

• Using analytics to improve water operations management  
• Offering eco-consumption service for domestic & pro users
• Analysing water consumption at territorial level for utilities

Samuel Loyson, Head of Smart Metering, SUEZ

10:30 – 10:45 Extended Curated Q&A Discussion

• Metering as an enabler for climate action
• Evaluation of the critical options for smart metering technologies and end-to-end data analytics capabilities
• Sharing results from feasibility studies and proof of concept trials
• Sharing information on the business case and likely payback period for smart metering

10:45 – 11:15 Networking Refreshment Break In The Exhibition Area

HOW TO IMPLEMENT SMART METERING AND CUSTOMER DATA PROGRAMMES COST-EFFECTIVELY

Best Practice Operational Implementation Of End-To-End Smart Metering Programmes

IMPLEMENTATION PANEL - BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

11:15 Guidelines And Specifics For Successful Roll Out Of End-To-End Smart Metering Programmes

So far, the conference has focused on strategic goals and drivers; this panel now focuses on the operational implementation level. Speakers will detail their actions and the processes that led them to the desired results, allowing attendees to learn from their implementation experiences and avoid making any initial mistakes that pioneers and early adopters often make.

SMART METERING AND DATA-DRIVEN NETWORK MANAGEMENT 

11:15 Using all the Tools in your Toolbox to Reduce UFW/NRW – North American Case Study

This case study discusses how the City of Elmhurst took systematic approach to a multiple range of projects to decrease UFW/NRW from nearly 25% and rising to 10% and still decreasing. The city is required to complete an audit process to identify Unaccounted for Water (UFW) and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) by Illinois Department Natural Resources.

To meet the IDNR standards, 15,000 plus meters were changed out in less than 10 months, and a state of the art AMI meter reading system was utilized for daily acoustical leak detection devices to find leaks before they surface. From there, staff looked at ways to meter water that was normally not being measured, such as hydrant flushing program, contractor meter use, street sweeping metering, and the effect of municipal water use on NRW. Projects in progress are: non-potable water reuse at wastewater plant, starting in 2024, review of pay as you go water meter stations, and fire meter metering on large customers.

Paul Burris, Utility Operations Manager, City of Elmhurst, Illinois

11:45 UK SMART METERING ROLLOUT USE CASE
Successfully Implementing A Smart Metering Programme: Execution Strategies, Technical Details & Practical Tips From The Field

• Introduction to the smart metering project and business case assessment
• Leveraging data for smart metering integration within existing intelligent networks
• Deciding on technology selection and whether to retrofit
• Results and analysis so far

Jason Slade, IMDS Smart Metering Development Manager, Anglian Water Services

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FROM SMART METERS THAT TRANSLATE TO A PAYBACK

12:15 Probing Under-Explored Benefits Of Smart Metering Technology For Water Companies & Customers - Including Reducing Non-Revenue Water, Saving Money On Meter Readings, Safety & Social Monitoring

During this discussion, we investigate the potential applications of smart meters that extend beyond switching customers over to a metered charge and leak detection. How much money can be saved by not having to do manual meter readings? Alternatively, if there is a sizable population of older adults living alone in a specific location, intelligent meters could alarm the relevant authorities, flagging particular problems. In what other ways could smart meters be utilised for cost reduction, revenue generation, and social and safety monitoring?

Rian Sullings, Manager Digital Metering Transition, Sydney Water

12:45  The Evolution of Communications for Smart Metering

The move to AMI smart meters and operational telemetry has opened up new requirements for communications and the deployment of connected devices on a huge scale.

• An evaluation of the different connectivity options today and in the future
• A closer look at NBIoT as new radio technology
• Our learnings from Smart Meter deployments  

Sandeep Raithatha, Head of Strategy, Innovation & 5G IoT, Virgin Media O2 Business

13:10 Networking Lunch in the Exhibition Area

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF RETROFITTING Options For Adding Smart Features To Mechanical Metering Systems That Are Already In Place

PANEL - RETROFITTING MECHANICAL METERS AND LEGACY EQUIPMENT
Retrofitting Intelligent Capabilities To Mechanical Metering Systems – Comparing Different Approaches & Technologies

This panel investigates the retrofitting of innovative metering technology for large- and small-scale deployments. A retrofitted intelligent water metering solution requires adding a new electronic device or module to an existing mechanical water meter to automate water flow monitoring, record water usage data, and wirelessly transfer it. What new solutions for retrofitting are entering the market? Which ones are the most dependable and economical? Emerging Internet of Things (IoT) communication protocols and technologies with effective range and penetration, such as low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN).

SPOTLIGHT ON CUSTOMER LEAKAGE REDUCTION AND ROI
14:10 Championing The Use Of Smart Metering Technologies To Identify And Repair Customer Leaks On A Scale Never Before Attained

• Rationalising smart meter installation because they will allow for the rapid detection and repair of customer-related leaks
• Analysing the results of feasibility studies and proof of concept trials
• Evaluating the many alternatives available for end-to-end data analytics and innovative metering technologies
• Initial findings on the business case, including an estimate of the payback period

Daniel Sullivan, General Manager, Research, Innovation & Commercialisation, South East Water

14:30 SMART METER IMPLEMENTATION
Best Practice Of Replacing Mechanical Meter With Smart Meters​

This talk will discuss Acquedotto Pugliese's 10-year strategy for installing smart meters and automating fixed network reading in order to replace more than 1,000,000 mechanical meters.

Antonio Cagiano, Head of Metering, Acquedotto Pugliese SpA

14:50 More Data Collected, Now What? Learn Why a Meter Data Management System Is An Essential Part of a Smart Meter Program

It’s great having a lot of data but it is what you do with the data that matters. Do you know how to use data to make actionable decisions quickly and confidently? Combining consumption and event data can help you detect issues like leakage, high usage and backflow. Go beyond meter to cash and discover the importance of a MDM being capable to adapt to new regulations, new use cases, and the ability to make rules that apply to your business needs. Smart meter data can streamline business processes, provide greater visibility into operations, and improve engagement with your customers. Now learn how to take full advantage of a MDM’s capabilities.

Kathy Shaffer, Vice President, Product Management of EnergyIP® Portfolio, Siemens 

15:10 Extended Curated Q&A   

15:30 – 16:00 Afternoon Refreshment Break

USE CASE - LEVERAGING SMART METERING DATA FOR LEAK DETECTION
16:00 Combining Smart Devices And Analytics Solutions To Gain Actionable Insight For Leak Detection

Combining smart devices and data analytics techniques allows for acquiring actionable insights for water leak detection. This hands-on session demonstrates how water utilities can use intelligent data provided by smart meters—providing a road map for best practice implementation of analytics for leak detection using smart metering data.

Jeremy Heath, Innovation Manager, SES Water

16:20 Questions and Discussion

16:30 The Past, Present and Future Evolution of Smart Metering in Ireland

Many water utilities now regard smart metering as just one type of sensor in an ecosystem of intelligent networks for leakage and demand management. In Ireland, there is an opportunity to build off an existing drive-by metering solution further develop leakage and demand management initiatives. This is a developing smart network strategy in the context of water conservation and demand management, with examples from recent trials.

Kevin Murray, Conservation & Metering Technology Lead, Irish Water

DIGITAL TWIN APPLICATIONS
17:00 Layering Smart Metering Data Into Digital Twins For Leakage Management

• Data granularity for leakage outcomes
• Integration of Smart Meter Data into digital twins
• The role of Customer flow data in network investment

Adam Smith, Manager Smart Networks & Metering, Yorkshire Water

17:20 Questions and Discussion

Addressing The Challenges Of Cost Effectively Future-Proofing Smart Meter Hardware, Communications Technology & Software

FUTURE-PROOFING TECHNOLOGY - WATER UTILITY & VENDOR PERSPECTIVES
17:30 Making Sure That The Hardware And Communications Technology Used In Smart Metering Programmes Can Be Updated Easily And Cost Effectively In The Future

This discussion session provides an overview and breakdown of the optimal strategies for ensuring your innovative metering system and communication infrastructure are future-proofed and cost-effective to keep up to date.

• Intelligent metering system design and technology selection can have an impact on future-proofing
• Selection of modular technologies with flexible upgrading interfaces based on recognised standards
• Future-proofing the design and integration of the communications infrastructure to make sure that the software and critical components remain upgradeable
• Knowing what contractual specifications are crucial as regards future-proofing technology
• Ensuring proactive communication with key suppliers throughout the entire relationship – from purchasing to maintenance and repair
• Vendor's perspective on making your innovative metering system and connectivity infrastructure future-proof while keeping costs low
• Selecting modular technologies with flexible upgrading interfaces based on recognised standards
• Future-proofing the design and integration of the communications infrastructure to ensure the software and critical components remain upgradeable at a low cost
• Understanding what contractual specifications are crucial for future-proofing technology
• Lessons learned and final thoughts.

Panelists:

Adam Smith, Manager Smart Networks & Metering, Yorkshire Water

Kathy Shaffer, Vice President, Product Management of EnergyIP® Portfolio, Siemens 

Daniel Sullivan, General Manager, Research, Innovation & Commercialisation, South East Water

18:00  Chairs’ Closing Remarks and Close of Day 1

18:00 – 19:00  Networking VIP Drinks Reception