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Learn about the benefits, installation, and maintenance of Automated Meter Reading systems in commercial and residential buildings. Discover how the University of Leicester leverages AMR for energy management. Find tips for successful implementation and operation.
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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 Automated meter reading system • Monthly or weekly meter reads using clip board or handheld devices • Manually enter the readings into the energy management software. • 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/sub-meters • Heat meters • Portable meters • Steam meters • Water 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 m2 • 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 • UoL 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 kWh Energy cost - £112K After : Total project cost - £51K Savings predicted – 11% Savings per year projected - £11,846 Payback – 4.4 years CO2 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 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 AnandCarbon and Energy manager0116 252 2308cpa4@le.ac.uk