Commercial smart metering trials boost efficiency for NI Water

Northern Ireland Water continues to focus on enhancing efficiency across commercial, or Non-Household (NHH), properties. This follows a successful trial of SUEZ smart metering at Queen's University, which demonstrated the exemplary performance of the Wize network, combined with Wize meters from Diehl Metering. The trial achieved up to 99% connectivity covering a range across the city of Belfast, from North Harbour to the hilly South Lagan Valley.

Building on the success of the Queen's University trial, Northern Ireland Water initiated a new trial among high-use commercial customers. This trial involved the installation of 200 Diehl Metering Wize smart meters in the Boucher Road Industrial Complex in Belfast. The results were once again excellent (99.8% connectivity), further validating the effectiveness of SUEZ smart metering using Wize technology to improve water management and efficiency.

A third phase of the project then commenced, with the technology being rolled out to a further 800 commercial customers of all sizes within Omagh. This phase represented an extended test for the network due to the town’s unique topological features. Omagh is situated in an agricultural hollow within County Tyrone, surrounded by hills and the Sperrin Mountains to the north. This location presents a demanding environment for LPWAN communication technology.

Dr Yang Fu, Technical Manager from SUEZ, stated: "We have found Northern Ireland Water to be an excellent partner on this project. Their commitment to improving service efficiency and sustainable water management aligns perfectly with our goals for digital technology."

Northern Ireland Water has trialled other systems in the past, but the performance and reliability of Wize deployments have proven to be exceptional. The near real-time data provided by smart meters is key to identifying leaks and enabling accurate, frequent billing for commercial properties, crucial for efficient water management.

The ongoing project in Northern Ireland represents a significant step forward in the adoption of smart metering technology. Northern Ireland Water’s commitment to improving service efficiency is a testament to their dedication to sustainable water management.

Daniel Bermingham from Northern Ireland Water commented: “Throughout the various phases of our smart metering roll-out, Wize technology has proven to be exemplary both in terms of signal range and reliability. The technology has enabled Northern Ireland Water to devise a long-term cost-effective smart metering strategy, from which the near real-time data will prove to be invaluable in terms of water supply and demand management. SUEZ have proven themselves to be an excellent delivery partner.”