The Multi-Utilities concept

In the international scenario is increasingly affirming the concept of multi-utility, a close synergy and integration between the network infrastructures both distribution (electricity, gas, water, heat, ...) and telecommunications.

In this convergence, "Smart Metering" takes an important role because allows you to use and integrate real-time information for an efficient operation of the networks.

Smart meters are instruments that measure the transmit real-time consumption (electricity, thermal energy, gas, water). Smart meters represent much more than the ability to measure in real time because they open up the way for a future of computing and control systems that interface sensors for:

• real time display of their consumption
• post web processing and diagnostics
• benchmarking
• management and real-time implementation of the smart home, smart grids, smart cities

Advantages

Principle of the multi-utility metering is to combine some or all measurements in a single system to reduce the cost (or improve business processes), to improve the functionality, providing a more complete view of consumption and facilitate the energy saving. It is possible to verify and identify faults by:

• Consumption difference between two or more counters in series (physical redundancy)
• Inconsistencies in the balances for a network or network segment(e.g., hot and cold water, natural gas and heat).
• Tampering of the meter.
• Abnormal historical datas (statistics).
• Verification of counter flow outside the measuring range.
• Zero flow or network leakage
• Abnormal samples (peaks and consumption in times / days not provided).

Smart Meter

A smart meter is a device for monitoring and measurement of consumptions.
Its feature is the ability to communicate in two directions: it can send the data readings of household appliances to the operator but also it can be contacted remotely by operators of companies.